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Tho Sitgs of Vteksbufg 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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^ 



The Siege of 
VICKSBURG 



FRon 



THE DIARY OF 5ETH J, WELLS ^ 



INCLUDING 

WEEKS OF PREPARATION AND OF 

OCCUPATION AFTER THE 

SURRENDER 



DETROIT, MICHIGAN 
WM. H. ROWE,' Publisher, 

1915. 






Copyright 1915 

BY 

/^AY WELLS BLISS 

AND 

SARAH EWELL KROLIK 

All Rights Reserved 



W 






DEC 16 1915 ^ 



OF 

^ttl] iames ^cIIb 

AND 

^vnnk 'giatll ^tlls 



^ovt^axh 



The Diary of Setli J. Wells from June 14tli, 
18G1, to July 9tli, 1864, relates to the every day life 
of the soldier in camp and field and records its 
tramps and hardships cheerfully borne. 

The Siege of Vicksburg is taken from the Diary. 

He was born on April 26th 1842 in Iowa, Des 
Moines County, near the village of Kising Sun 
and was reared in his Grandfather EwelFs family 
on the "Ewell Farms" in Michigan, Macomb 
County, near the village of Utica. 

He was wounded in battle and died a few days 
later in a hospital at Vicksburg on July 9th 1864. 
He enlisted on June 12th 1861 and served in three 
companies of the United States Army during the 
Civil War: Company E, 12th Indiana; Company 
K, 17th Illinois; Company G, 8th Illinois. The 
brothers, Frank and Seth, were together in Com- 
pany K, 17th Illinois. 

S. E. K. 



The Siege of Vicksburg 

DuNLAP Springs^ Nov. 3, 1862. We have built a 
snug log house and last night for the first and 
probably last time have slept in it; for our com- 
pany has orders to move down town and act as 
city guards. There are eight or ten regiments here, 
some of them new ones from Jackson, Miss. The 
new regiments, like all new ones, have great con- 
fidence in themselves and think the war is to be 
settled by them and them only. There is an under- 
current of jealousj^ existing between the old and 
new troops. The old troops call the new ones 
"forty dollar men," "bounty men," and "home 
guards." Last Friday, Oct. 31, we had general re- 
view from Gen. McPherson who is here command- 
ing the post. There were twenty regiments, ten 
thousand men, I should judge, on the field. There 
is a great forward movement taking place. All the 
troops started out on the Grand Junction road this 
morning with the exception of the 13rd, and ITtli 
111.. The weather is fine, the days are warm and 
pleasant, but the nights are very cold and frosty. 
About once in ten days we have a northeast rain- 
storm, followed by cold weather and sleet. We are 
on guard every other day, sometimes every third 
day. 

Nov. 7. We got a buggy shed from, the citizens, 
boarded it up tight, built a furnace in it, and vrere 

1862 



12 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

just putting on the finishing touches, (battening 
up the cracks with cotton) when we received 
marching orders. Such is the fortune of war. 

Nov. 8. We struck our tents and started for 
Grand Junction about 10 o'clock. The boys are 
in fine health and spirits. We marched about nine 
miles and camped by a clear spring. 

Nov. 9. Sunday. We marched about fifteen 
miles today and arrived at La Grange, three miles 
west of Grand Junction. It is dry and very dusty. 
Sometimes the dust was so thick we could not see 
the ground. That and the smoke and heat from 
the burning fences was almost intolerable. We 
passed miles and miles of burnt and burning fences, 
fired by troops in advance. Large and fine farms 
and plantations were laid waste. We met fully 
forty teams of four and six mules each, loaded with 
wenches and young woolly heads, and all their 
personal effects, and in fact all they could smuggle 
from their masters. Ask them where they are 
going and they will tell you, "You folks sent's to 
Bolivar, don't know where wes goin' from thar." 
I blistered my feet badly on the march. W^e hear 
that Hollow Springs is evacuated. We have very 
stringent orders in regard to stealing. Every- 
thing has to be paid for by the division when it 
cannot be traced to the company, regiment or 
brigade of the persons committing the theft. I 
hope they will be enforced. 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 13 

Nov. 14. All quiet. We bad brigade drill tbis 
forenoon. Our brigade consists of tbe Ttb Mis- 
souri, 8tb, 63rd and 18tb Illinois, commanded by 
Col. Stevenson of tbe Ttb Missouri. Our regiment 
is tbe first of tbe fourtb brigade, tbird division, 
of the rigbt wing of Gen. Grant's army. Gen. 
Jobn A, Logan made a speecb to tbe troops tbis 
afternoon. 

Nov. 20. Col. Stevenson made a few remarks 
to us tbis morning after drill. He is good natured 
and jolly, and a fine speaker. He gave us great 
praise and said be bad tbe Ttb Missouri, 8tb and 
63rd Illinois, witb tbe pick of anotber five or six 
regiments, among tbem ours. He took us and 
placed us on tbe rigbt of bis brigade in preference 
to any otber. 

Nov. 21. Our brigade was reviewed by Gen- 
erals McPberson and Logan tbis afternoon. Gen. 
McKean's brigade was reviewed today. 

Nov. 24. Tbere was grand review tbis after- 
noon. Generals McPbesron, Grant and Logan 
were tbe review officers. Tbe weatber is fine but 
the nights are very cold. 

Nov. 25. On picket one mile southeast of 
LaGrange, the night was very cold. 

Nov. 2T. We received orders to pack up and 
be ready to move down town this morning, where 
we were to be quartered and remain as provost 
guard. We marched down about 8 o'clock and 

1862 



14 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURK 

secured our quarters. Sixteen, including Frank 
and myself, took a room upstairs in an old 
grocery with an old stove. During the day we 
fixed our bunks and got some benches from a 
church close by, and by night had things quite 
comfortable. LaG range comes nearer to being like 
a northern town than any other I have seen in 
the South. 

Nov. 28. I was on guard in front of the Pro- 
vost-marshairs office today. The troop began to 
move toward Holly Springs long before day light. 
While I was in town five batteries and as many 
brigades passed. Gen. Grant passed us a number 
of times. He is looking a great deal better than 
when at Inka. 

Nov. 29. The troops have mostly passed out 
and it is getting quiet once more. 

Dec. 1. While I was looking out of the window 
this morning at some recruits for the 48th Indiana, 
whom should I see but John Metternich of our old 
company. (Co. E, 12th Ind.) He was as much 
surprised as I; the last time I saw him, his head 
was bruised and bleeding as the result of a spree. 
This morning a band of guerillas came up within 
about two miles of this place, captured a number 
of mules and burned the cotton they were hauling. 

Dec. 2. Tuesday. The 109th 111. came in 
tonight. 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 15 

Dec. 4. I was on guard today. It rained 
nearly all day, and toward night we had a real 
northerner. 

Dec. 5. Late in the afternoon it turned cold 
and began to freeze and snow. 

Dec. 6. Ground is frozen quite solid this 
morning, for the first time this winter. There is 
some excitement among the boys of the 17th in 
regard to a report that Gov. Yates has ordered 
home ten of the old regiments to recruit and fill 
up their ranks. If any go, the 17th will probably 
be one of them, as the company reports only 
twenty-two for duty, 

Dec. 7. Sunday. I was detailed for guard this 
morning and stood before the provost marshall's 
oflEice. 

Dec. 9. On fatigue. Weather fine. 

Dec. 10. Weather fine. We had dress parade 
at 4 o'clock. 

Dec. 11. Weather warm. I was on fatigue 
nearly all day, cutting and hauling wood for the 
company. We had dress parade at 4 o'clock. Just 
at dusk the news came in that a guerilla band was 
to attack us before morning. Fifty men from our 
regiment and forty-eight from the 126tli (which is 
here doing picket duty) were detailed to build 
breastworks of cotton, four hundred bales of which 
lay near the depot. Col. Norton and JMajor Bates 
did the engineering. After they had finished we 

1862 



16 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

lay on our arms during the night, but no enemy 
made its appearance, and about 7 o'clock we were 
ordered back to camp. 

Dec 12. Quite sore from chopping and rolling 
cotton. Our Colonel, Amos Norton, is Commander 
of the Post, and Rats is provost-marshal, Col. 
Smith commanding the regiment. Toward dark a 
rumor was rapidly circulated through the camp 
that we were ordered to Holly Springs, Miss. No 
one could tell where it started from, and conse- 
quently no one credited it. 

Dec. 13. Marching orders, sure enough. We 
drew three days' rations this morning, with orders 
to have two cooked and in our haversacks, ready 
to march at 5 o'clock the next morning. I have 
a new pair of boots which I expect to break in 
on the march — or they will break me. We were 
relieved this morning by the 126th. I have a very 
severe cold. 

Dec. 14. Sunday. Reveille sounded this morn- 
ing a little after 2 o'clock. We filled our haver- 
sacks, got our breakfasts, and by daylight were 
ready for the march. We fell into ranks, the 
regiment was formed, and then we witnessed an 
unexpected ceremony which is disgusting to every 
true soldier — the drumming out of a fellow soldier 
for disobedience and disgraceful conduct. I should 
prefer death to being marched between two lines 
of a regiment by a guard, at a charged bayonet, with 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 17 

an escort, the band playing the Rogues March, and 
the remainder of the regiment standing at charged 
bayonets; but it was soon over, the ranks were 
closed, and the regiment started on the march. 
We crossed Wolf Creek, a fine stream one mile 
from LaGrange. We passed over a fine country 
somewhat broken. The army has surely left its 
mark here. Miles of fences and scores of houses 
have been burnt. From one place we could count 
seven or eight ruins. The destruction of property 
is not countenanced by a good soldier, but every 
regiment has its straggling, order breaking repro- 
bates that are a disgrace to the flag they fight 
under. We reached Coldwater toward night and 
camped. I was on guard. I came across an old 
cove who helped build dam No. 4, in Maryland, 
and knew all the citizens who live there now. 

Dec. 15. We struck tents early, packed our 
effects as snugly as possible, and as on the preced- 
ing morning, shouldered our knaps. It rained 
during our entire march to Holly Springs, the 
flower city of the South, and on our arrival there 
the flood gates of heaven opened and the rain 
poured down on our defenseless heads in torrents. 
We stood it about two hours before the Colonel 
culd secure quarters. Three-fourths of a mile up 
the railroad track we found a very large rebel 
arsenal, but were wet to the skin long before we 
1862 



18 THE SIEGE OF VIC KS BURG 

reached this shelter. It continued to rain all day 
without intermission. 

Dec. 16. We packed up twice to change our 
camp today, but the order was countermanded 
each time. The arsenal is a very extensive build- 
ing and the rebels turned out one hundred small 
arms per day. We are preparing it for an exten- 
sive hospital. Quartered here again tonight. I 
went up to the depot and while there met old 
Captain Backman, of Co. C, 12th Ind. Reg. He is 
now sutler in the same regiment, which is located 
but a few miles below here doing picket duty on 
the railroad. 

Dec. 17. Toward night we received marching 
orders and started for Abbyville at dark. We 
heard that there was great excitement at Jackson, 
as an attack from a detachment of Bragg's men 
was expected. We marched about eight miles from 
town and crossed the Yazoo swamp, where we 
camped for the night. The next morning we again 
packed up and started for Abbyville. 

Dec. 18. We arrived at the Tallahatchie 
Bottoms about noon. Bissell's engineer regiment 
is encamped here. It has just finished the railroad 
bridge over the river and the cars now pass on to 
Oxford in advance. There was a clearing with 
two redoubts which we passed before entering the 
woody bottoms of the Tallahatchie. The teams 
were halted and we slung our knapsacks and 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 19 

carried them over the marshy bottoms. We had 
advanced but a short distance when the formidable 
earthworks which the Kebs had erected, loomed up 
before our eyes. When we once more struck terra 
firma we were halted, unslung our knaps, and when 
the teams came up, packed them on the wagons. I 
started on and entered the camp of the 12th Ind. 
Volunteers. Found the old members of Co. E. 
divided among two companies — F and I, both 
gotten up at Warsaw. We arrived at Abbyville 
in the middle of the forenoon. The country 
between LaGrange and Abbyville is rough and 
hilly. 

Dec. 19. Jesse Walker and I went out foraging 
and succeeded in capturing a shoat. The nigs were 
left very destitute and there will be a great deal of 
suffering if the government does not feed them. 
There is a report that Jackson, Tenn., is threat- 
ened by Bragg ; that there is fighting there and our 
communications are cut off, at any rate troops are 
on the move, being taken back by rail as fast as 
possible. There is a great battle being fought this 
morning by Buruside's men. They have already 
fought one whole day. Burnie has crossed the 
river and holds Fredericksburg. 

Dec. 20. The news came in this morning that 
Holly Springs was entered at daylight and cap- 
tured. The Rebels took over two hundred thou- 
sand dollars and burned the depot with ail the 
1862 



20 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

stores and the arsenal we had fitted up for a hos- 
pital. After dinner we w^ere set to Avork building- 
breastworks of cotton, having captured one thou- 
sand bales from the C S. A.. When we first came 
here the regiment was scattered along the rail- 
road, one company in a place extending nearly to 
Oxford. Companies G and K were kept here, this 
being the headquarters of Regiment 1, Norton 
commanding the Post. Two companies below were 
sent up, and by night we had a com^Dlete breast- 
work of cotton bales, regular old hickory style. 

Dec. 21. The long roll w^as beaten at 3 o'clock 
this morning. The company was formed and we 
marched down to our cotton fort where we lay 
until daylight, when the other companies marched 
to their camps, and we back to ours. Last night 
a division of cavalry passed, going north. It was 
composed of the 3rd and 4th 111., 7th Kansas and 
3rd Mich. Just before night Generals Ross and 
McArthur came into town with their respective 
divisions. They are moving back for some cause. 
The weather is fine but the nights are very cold. 
It is what people call pleasant fall weather in 
Michigan. We have had no more snow since the 
flurry in September, and the weather never was 
more favorable for a winter campaign. The army 
is well clothed, having as much clothing as the 
soldiers wish to pack. 

Dec. 22. On guard in Frank's place, he has 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS I ^ '^ 21 

gone foraging ten miles below. More troops passed 
on their way back. ;, 

Dec. 23. Gen. Grant passed through here this 
morning on the train. The division of Denver's, 
(ex-governor of Kansas, for whom Denver City 
was named) passed through here today also. The 
troops are all coming up further north. The cars 
are going north loaded with cotton. I think this 
is a cotton expedition. 

Dec. 24. On picket guard today. Got my boots 
half soled. Gen. McPherson passed through here, 
and Logan's division is coming up and passing 
through. Our old brigade (Col. Stevenson's) also 
passed. A train came in a little after dark and 
was loaded with cotton. The country is stripped 
of everything and so we are on half rations. All 
the hogs and live stock have been killed. The 
Negroes are suffering and I think they w^ould wel- 
come their old masters. There are a great many 
leaving, a large carload left today. We have poorer 
fare than at any time since we enlisted. 

Dec. 25. Christmas. I came off guard duty 
this morning. We drew half rations for four days 
and part of that was cornmeal. Our coffee is rye 
and in small quantities at that. The boys have 
gone out to see if they can find a stray hog or beef 
for Christmas dinner. Oh! if I could be at home 
today. 

1862 



22 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

One o'clock. We just now received marching 
orders to be ready tomorrow morning. Frank, 
Bill, Buttons and Boggs of our mess, and Ragan 
and Doughty of the Peacock mess, fetched in a 
whole beef, and a few minutes later Abe, John and 
Scott brought in a whole hog. If we live on half 
rations it will not be of meat, as we have a hog 
and half a beef. It is very warm and pleasant 
today, I lay down and took a nap, but the flies 
were so troublesome I could hardly sleep. 

Dec. 26. Warm and raining. We were astir 
early, cooked our breakfasts, filled our haversacks 
with meat and what little bread we had, and fell 
in about 7 o'clock. It began to rain and Ave had 
gone but a mile or two when we were wet through. 
We secured two ox teams, one of six oxen, and one 
of four, which hauled our knapsacks. The 12th 
Ind. is still camped on the Tallahatchie. Saw 
Lieut. E. Webster and Tom Anderson, they are 
living on quarter rations. Capt. Williams, now 
Colonel of the regiment, was at Holly Springs at 
the time it was captured and he was taken for the 
third time. We marched to the Yazoo Bottoms 
and camped on the opposite side. It rained and 
we were completely soaked. The ground was 
muddy and I looked around, found a stack of corn, 
dug down to the dry stalks, husked out a lot and 
made a bed for myself. We are within seven 
miles of Holly Springs. 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 23 

Dec. 27. Warm and rainy this morning. We 
struck ont tents, fell in about daylight and 
marched through to Holly Springs, where we saw 
the effects of the late raid. 

A long ambulance train, a large hotel and one 
whole block was burned, also the whole of the large 
arsenal building which we had prepared and were 
using for a hospital, the large depot and all the 
supplies that were in it, two or three engines and 
a long train of cars. When the magazines exploded 
it jarred out nearly all of the window glass in that 
part of the town. We camped on the north side 
in a beautiful grove. As soon as camp was laid 
off we killed one of our oxen which had labored so 
faithfully in hauling our knapsacks here, and drew 
one more day's rations to finish out our four days. 
The boys have taken the mills into their own hands 
and are shelling and grinding corn, what they 
should have done long ago, live off the country. 
They tell us that we are the first regiment of the 
first brigade, sixth division (Gen. Arthur's) of 
Grant's department. There has been no time to 
parole the sick. 

Dec. 28. Sunday. We lay here all day, all is 
quiet. 

Dec. 29. A foraging party went out this morn- 
ing. One of our boys killed five hogs and thirteen 
chickens, and found two government wagons and 
two barrels of molasses that the Kebs had taken 

1862 



24 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

out from Holly Springs and hidden. At 3 o'clock 
we had orders to move in twenty minutes for 
Moscow, a small town ten miles west of LaGrange 
on the Memphis and Charleston railroad. We 
marched to the opposite side of Coldwater and 
camped for the night. Our brigade was in advance 
of the division and our regiment in advance of the 
brigade. 

Dec. 30. Kained a good deal last night. We 
were up early. Our regiment was rear guard to 
the wagon train today. It cleared off early and 
was quite cool, making a fine day for marching. 
We carried our knapsacks as on the previous day, 
and marched about eight miles. Fine country 
between Coldwater and Moscow, that is for Mis- 
sissippi. Most plantations have fine mansions. 
There have been but few troops over this road, 
consequently cattle and hogs are quite abundant. 
Our boys drove in about sixty hogs and most of 
them are fine, fat ones. When they came into 
camp the boys pitched in, each man for himself, 
and our mess got half a hog. 

Dec. 31. Last night was very cold. It snowed 
quite hard. The regiment formed this morning 
and guns were fired off. We were formed for 
muster at 2 o'clock yesterday. Abe left our mess, 
also Geo. Scott, both were ill. 

Jan. 1, 18G3. Thursday. Bright and clear, 
warm and pleasant. How well do I remember two 

1862 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 25 

short years ago today wlieu we took a sleigh ride 
and made a regular family visit at Uncle Tim's. 
Since then I have traveled over four thousand 
miles, five hundred and eighty of which I marched 
with gun on my shoulder ; have seen more vice and 
drunkenness than I ever supposed existed, yet I 
hope I am morally no worse than when surrounded 
by kind relatives and friends. An orderly call 
beat immediately after reveille this morning at 
which time we received orders to cook our rations 
and be ready by half past seven. We cooked our 
fresh pork and by the appointed time had it in our 
haversacks, and our knapsacks strapped on our 
backs, ready for the march. We went eight miles 
and camped close to a small town called Lafayette, 
situated on the Memphis and Charleston R. R. 
As soon as we had pitched our tents, Chas. Berry 
and myself went out one mile from camp and killed 
a hog. We are now the first regiment of the 
first brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General 
Mc Arthur, of Gen. Hamilton's corps, of the left 
wing of Gen. Grant's army. We were put in the 
rear of the brigade today as a special guard to 
keep up the stragglers. 

Jan. 2. Struck out tents early this morning 
and marched to Colliersville, a distance of seven 
miles from Lafayette and twenty-four from Mem- 
phis. As soon as we had stacked our arms and 
broken ranks, John Cumbersworth and I went out 

1863 



26 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

a mile and a half from camp and got a fine hog. 
While we were skinning it our orderly-sergeant, 
Snllivan, Jesse Walker and Mike Walsh were 
captured not more than a quarter of a mile distant, 
by a band of rebel cavalry. Sullivan turned and 
ran and several shots were fired after him, which 
we heard plainly but we thought it was the boys 
shooting hogs. When we got into camp Bob Dew 
and Charlie Berry came in with their paroles, 
they having been caught by the same company. 
Five paroled from Co. K in one day. Five such 
days' work will muster Co. K out of service. The 
17th 111. at present musters about three hundred 
and fifty men. On guard tonight; storming fear- 
fully. 

Jan. 3. Quite pleasant during the day, but it 
rained heavily all night. 

Jan. 4. We had inspection at 1 o'clock. Col. 
Norton's tent burned today. 

Jan. 5. Monday. I am on guard at the depot 
today. 

Jan. 8. Orders are very strict. If caught out- 
side of the pickets the fine is ten dollars. We get 
up at 4 o'clock in the morning and stack our arms. 
I am on parole guard today. We expect to move in 
a day or two. 

Jan. 11. The regiment was formed at 4 this 
morning. In the afternoon we received marching 
orders. Our division has been moving up all day. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 27 

Logan's division is here. The stockade fort that 
the contrabands are at work on near the depot is 
almost completed. At 4 o'clock we had dress 
parade. Orders were read, fining the absentees 
from roll call since the last of December, one 
dollar each time. 

Jan. 12. We were called up at half past three 
this morning and were on the road inside an hour, 
and by sunrise were four miles on the way. We 
arrived at Germantown about 10 o'clock. It is a 
village. At five minutes before 12 o'clock we 
halted for dinner, and started again on our march 
at 1 o'clock, our regiment in advance. We reached 
the edge of a town at dusk where we learned 
that we were selected as guard at the navy yard. 
As we passed through the town, the little children 
followed us and hurrahed for Jeff Davis. We 
moved to the upper end of town and encamped on 
land adjoining the navy yard. Col. Norton bought 
five cords of wood for us. He made a speech in 
which he said Gen. Hamilton ordered McArthur 
to send his best disciplined regiment here as guard, 
and he wanted us to be strict, orderly, and dili- 
gent. He also said the duty was a kind of secret 
service ( how so I do not understand ) . The gueril- 
las crossed over last night, cut around and burned 
a steamer. We are very tired this evening, having 
made the heavy march of twenty-six miles. 

Jan. 13, We moved into the navy yard this 

1863 



28 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

morning. Had seven men detailed for guard. I 
was one of tliem. We were put on camp, or chain 
guard. I don't see where the secret service comes 
in, for my part. I was down to see the ex-reb 
gunboat, "Gen. Bragg," she was injured at Vicks- 
burg and is being repaired. There are five or six 
mortar boats lying close to shore. 

Jan. 14. I came off guard this morning. It 
rained very hard all the latter part of the night. 
Another boat load of troops came down last night, 
making five or six in all. They are from the 
Kansas Valley Division of Fremont's old forces. 

Jan. 15. About six inches of snow fell last 
night and it has snowed all day. The citizens say 
it is the heaviest storm they have seen in a num- 
ber of years. By night it was about ten inches 
deep. The x>aymaster paid off all but our comj^auy 
today. 

Jan. 16. We were paid off this morning, after 
which there Was a general settling up of accounts. 
I drew 111.00; |25.00 advance bounty, one month's 
advance pay, and f3.00 premium for re-enlisting. 
I expressed |25.00 home. It is very cold this morn- 
ing, not more than five or six degrees above zero. 
Towards noon the report came that we were to be 
relieved. We were almost frozen, having no chance 
to fire up and keep warm. These are the dark days 
of a soldier's experience. 

Jan. 17. I was on guard supernumerary in the 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 29 

daytime and stood beyond Wolf Creek at night, 
instructions to be ready at 6 :30 o'clock in the 
Towards night the sergeant-major came along with 
morning to go aboard the transports for down the 
river. 

Jan. 18. We were np early and had our things 
packed at 8 o'clock, fell into ranks and marched 
down to the wharf and on board the "Superior," 
a fine river boat. The 11th 111., 17th 111., and part 
of the 16th Wisconsin regiments are on our boat. 
It took all day to load and at night we went up 
to the coal yard just above town to coal up. Abe 
and I made our bed down on the top of the hurri- 
cane deck. About midnight it began to sleet and 
rain, and before morning our blankets were com- 
pletely soaked. It was about as disagreeable a 
night as I ever spent. 

Jan. 19. Cold, rainy and windy. We lay here 
all day coaling up, and suffered with the cold. 
Most of the boys kept warm by drinking whisky. 
Nearly all have their canteens full. We have 
details patrolling the town, picking up the strag- 
glers. Still rainy and disagreeable. At 1:30 the 
boats backed off and started down the river. We 
stopped a few minutes at the forts, two or three 
miles below the town. There are fifteen boats in 
the fleet, among the principal ones are the "Nettie 
Dean," "Silver Moon," "Minnehaha," "Platte Val- 
ley," "Superior," "Maria Denning," "Sunnyside," 
1863 



30 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

"St. Louis/ "Gate City," "Mary Forsytlie," "City 
of Madison," 'Arago," and "Belle Reora." Our 
regiment lost about fifty men at Memphis, three 
from our company. At dark we tied up to the 
Arkansas shore. It was dreary and cold but I 
went on shore on purpose to put my foot on Arkan- 
sas soil. We set our pickets and stayed all night, 
Abe Van Aukin and I slept under Jim Mitchell's 
bunk, the same as the night before and slept fine. 
Jan. 21. The boat shoved off at daylight and 
started down at 10 o'clock. We arrived at Helena, 
a small town, where we stopped about three hours, 
and then went on down the river. It is thickly 
timbered on both sides most of the way. There 
are a few farm houses scattered along. At sun- 
down we tied up to the Arkansas shore just forty 
miles above Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkan- 
sas river. As soon as we halted the "Silver Moon" 
played several tunes on her calliope. I went back 
to a little town of Nig quarters just over the levee, 
about one-half a mile from the river and tried to 
get something to eat, but they had nothing to sell 
or give. Everything was eaten up and the levees 
were all breaking away and they could not repair 
them as the able bodied had run away. Most of 
the Whites that are not in the Rebel service have 
left. One of our boats was fired on today. We 
passed Napoleon about 9 o'clock. At sundown we 
tied up at the Mississippi shore, eighty miles above 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 31 

the mouth of the Yazoo, and opposite the state of 
Mississippi. 

Jan. 23. We started at sunrise as on the pre- 
ceding morning. The wind blew quite strong, 
making it difficult for some of the smaller boats 
to keep up. When we were within a few miles of 
the Yazoo, the flagship "Platte Valley" halted and 
gave us the signal to close up. We closed up in 
regular order and about 3 o'clock came in sight of 
a fleet of eighty transports and gunboats at the 
mouth of the Yazoo. We halted about one mile 
above them, and twelve miles from Vicksburg by 
water, or eighty by the short cut on the Louisiana 
side. The troops here tell us our boys are work- 
ing on the Farragut's canal and are to have it 
finished in a few days. We slept in the boat last 
night, Abe and I in our old place. The country 
for over a hundred miles above here is quite thickly 
settled by wealthy planters. On some of the plan- 
tations the Negro quarters form quite a town. The 
trees on the shore are covered with a long vine-like 
growth called Spanish moss. It is light green in 
color, and gives an appearance of being dead and 
covered with icycles. 

Jan. 24. Rained all day ; slept in the boat last 
night. 

Jan. 25. Sunday. The regiment was formed 
early this morning and we moved back out of the 
levee into camp. The river is rising, it is on a level 

1863 



32 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

with our camp. It is warm and pleasant, a real 
spring day. There was heavy firing this evening 
down the river. I saw the "Chillicothe" tonight. 
There were four men detailed to go down to the 
ditch tomorrow. 

Jan. 26. Warm and rainy. More boats went 
down last night, one war boat and several trans- 
ports. We heard heavy firing this morning, sup- 
posed to be the gunboats. The river is still rising. 

Jan. 28. Bill Boggs and myself secured a pass 
this morning early and started down to the canal. 
We followed the river bank until we were about 
one mile and half from the ditch, when we saw 
that we were upon a bayou that ran back up the 
river about two miles. We had to turn back, 
feeling pretty badly sold as it made us four miles 
extra walk. Young poplars were so thick that we 
could not see where we were for a while. The 
levee is broken in two places. Our division (6th 
Mc Arthur) is repairing the upper one, and the 
lower division the lower one. The water is run- 
ning through here badly. They are planting artil- 
lery behind the levee all along between camp and 
the ditch. The levee forms a substantial breast- 
work. One mile this side of the ditch we came, 
for the first time, within full view of Vicksburg. 
The town lies upon the west side of a sloping bluff. 
One large church and the court house and one 
earthworks could be distinguished quite plainly. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 33 

The town did not look more than two or three miles 
distant, but it is not less than eight. An officer 
was looking through a glass, he could see trans- 
ports at the wharf, and a crowd collected around 
someone who was taking observations. As we 
passed the mouth of the Yazoo we could look up 
and see three or four gunboats and as many rams, 
while on this side lay the "Chillicothe" and three 
rams. As I was going down I was hailed by two 
cavalry men who had just passed me. On 
looking up, whom should I see but Oil and 
Dave Hubler, formerly of Co. E, 12th Ind. They 
belong to Co. C, 4th Ind. cavalry. They told me 
that Geo. Hissung is down here. They are body 
guard to Gen. Smith. Pat Gallegher and Bill 
Humphrey, our old first lieutenant and orderly, 
are here. Nearby is the far famed ditch. About 
noon we sat down on its banks and took a good 
rest. The boys encamped there say the water has 
risen one foot today. It is now five feet deep and 
has a rapid current. It averages over twenty feet 
wide upon the surface. The Mississippi is rising 
rapidly. I went down to the lower end of the 
ditch, it is one mile and one-eighth in length. 
There are heavy details at work throwing up a 
levee on the west side of it. We have thirty two- 
pound parrots blockading the river. They are 
posted behind the levee here. When we arrived 
Gen. McClernand was taking observations. The 

1863 



34 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

Kebels are throwing up heavy works below the 
mouth of the ditch upon the opposite side. It is 
about three miles distant. We could see them 
moving around, coming up and going away. We 
lay there about two hours and watched them. We 
could see two heavy earthworks, or forts, and one 
line of rifle pits. We went from here up to the 
head of the ditch. It starts in an eddy and there 
was a tug, "The Ivy," lying in front to keep out 
the driftwood. It is hard to tell if the thing will 
prove advantageous. Large details at work, show- 
ing that the generals still have faith in it. We 
understand that they have sent for a dredge. There 
are encampments all the way between our division 
and the ditch. Gen. Steele's division is below the 
mouth of it. We came back to camp a little after 
dark, tired and hungry, having traveled during the 
day about twenty miles, but were amply repaid. 
McClernand is a homely man, apparently about 
forty-five years of age, with black whiskers and a 
Roman nose. I saw a fine looking general, said to 
be Gen. Steele. 

Jan. 29. This is a beautiful day. I am quite 
stiff and sore from the effects of my walk. There 
was a detail from the sixth division this morning, 
mounted on mules and sent out in the northwest- 
ern direction upon a scout. Corp. Si. Livingston 
and Privates Briton and Schultz represented Co. 
K, 17th 111. They went about sixteen miles to a 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 35 

little town called Kichmond, where they found a 
detachment of the enemy, but owing to a large 
bayou, our boys could not get at them, and had to 
leave them in possession of the place. We heard 
heavy cannonading this morning. The Rebs had 
undertaken to cross with about five hundred head 
of cattle, but slipped up on it, and they fell into 
our hands. 

Jan. 30. I was detailed on fatigue this morn- 
ing. The detail from our regiment worked on the 
big break in the levee. We did a good day's work, 
and slightly checked the current. The Mississippi 
continues to rise. Uncle Ben, Scott and Patterson 
returned from their three days' scout. They had 
been up the river after beef and had secured fifty 
head. Mail came in last night, Frank received a 
letter from Rosalie, dated Jan. 4. Just to think, 
they have had no snow yet in the north. Generals 
U. S. Grant and Ross have arrived. 

Jan. 31. The first news that greeted us this 
morning was marching orders. After breakfast 
w^e drew four days' rations, two of them cooked, 
put them in our haversacks, and were ready to 
march aboard the boats. About 2 o'clock the 
regiment was formed and we marched aboard the 
"Crescent City" and the "Ella," escorted by a gun- 
boat, or Ram No. 2. We started in the fore part 
of the night. Abe and I found a place on the lower 
deck on the top of a wood pile, and it is well we 

1863 



36 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

did, for it rained nearly all night. 

Feb. 1. Sunday. We went forty miles last 
night. This is a rainy day. Fortune seems to be 
against us when we float the Mississippi. Our 
rations in the bread line since we left Bolivar have 
been mostly hard-tack with cornmeal. We occa- 
sionally draw flour. The hard crackers we draw 
are better now than they have been before. The 
boats have moved very slowly against the current 
today. We arrived at Providence the middle of 
the afternoon, landed above the town, and went 
ashore. Our company and company F surrounded 
the town but caught no one. Capt. Wheeler and 
three or four of us entered the Post Office and 
searched it. We found a few letters and papers. 
We broke open the ballot box which was full of 
tickets voted for Jeff Davis. Abe and I each got 
us a set of chess men. I got a six-inch drafting 
rule, also some pamphlets giving the object and 
description of the K. G. C, or Knights of the 
Golden Circle. Providence, before the war, must 
have been a beautiful town, but now it is almost 
deserted. A few women and children were stand- 
ing in the doors, nearly scared to death. They 
scarcely knew what to expect from the long 
dreaded Yankees. The Post Office is a large brick 
building, in the back part of which was the equip- 
ment of the Sons of Malta. We caught no gueril- 
las. We threw out our pickets and slept upon the 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 37 

boat, Abe and I upon the hurricane deck, as our 
wood pile was burned up. It was quite cool for 
this country, one might say cold. We lay in the 
boat until the middle of the afternoon. A detail 
from the brigade went out mule-back this morning 
on a scout. When we heard that guerillas were 
out a few miles in the country, our company and 
company G were ordered out. Col. Dietzler said ' 
there was no use in going farther as there were 
none there, but the boys wanted a little exercise, 
so they took us about two miles to a nice planta- 
tion, where we killed a lot of chickens. Gus 
Schultz and I caught eight, I caught five and found 
some eggs. John Cumberworth, also of our mess, 
got a frying pan which we needed very much. One 
of our boys was thrown from a mule. It com- 
menced raining just as we started back, and before 
we arrived at camp Ave were completely soaked 
through. We were called aboard and dropped off 
below town where we remained until morning. The 
night was very cold and the ground was frozen 
quite solid. This morning there was a detail of 
nearly half the brigade for fatigue. We were put 
to work digging away the levees to let the water 
into Lake Providence, which is one mile back from 
the river. There was once a channel between the 
river and lake in high water, but it is dammed 
up. The lake makes connections with Red River 
through bayous. Providence is equally divided 

1863 



38 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

into three parts, they are separated by the old 
channel, which forms a common for the town. The 
town is a little higher than the channel, but lower 
than the levee. The inhabitants are badly scared 
and are moving out. It will all be inundated when 
we get the levee cut through. The engineers say 
there are four feet and six inches of fall between 
the surface of the river and the surface of the 
ground below the levee. We worked until noon, 
and then another relief came on. The regiment 
moved down to the boats and camped on the other 
side of the levee. We got a large barroom stove 
for our tent. This evening there was a detail sent 
across the river to a large plantation for Nigs. One 
hundred and forty were caught and sent to Vicks- 
burg. We saw peach trees in bloom today. We met 
Gen. McArthur and bodyguard when we were 
coming out. 

Feb. 11. Boggs, Buttons and I went over the 
river this morning on an old flat log. About 10 
o'clock Si Livingston and I had permission to go 
out and get some chickens. We crossed over ou 
the log, baled out an old canoe, and took a ride up 
the river two miles and a half, and stopped at a 
beautiful plantation. We could buy nothing. We 
then struck back for camp, and stopped on the way 
at another plantation and got five chickens. The 
steamer "Louisiana" came around this morning 
with provisions. Two men from company E 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 39 

knocked down an old Negro and robbed him. It 
was proven, and Major Peates had them tied up 
by the hands, with a card on their backs. 

Feb. 12. The two men were tied all day. We 
played ball. 

Feb. 13. We played ball again today. It 
rained last night. Three men of company G were 
tied up today for running the pickets. 

Feb. 11. We were ordered back to Providence 
this morning. Caught a sheep and brought it 
along. The roads are very muddy. W^e met Gen. 
McArthur on the way back. One of our brigade 
went on the south side of the lake and the other 
on the opposite side. They are clearing the brush 
from the bayou that leaves the lake for Tensa and 
are stopping up others. 

Feb. 15. Sunday. We had a big thunderstorm 
last night. Part of McClernand's forces came up 
on the transports this afternoon. The supposition 
is that all are coming up. 

Feb. 16. I was on guard (supernumerary), 
all day and was not called out. It was rainy this 
morning. 

Feb. 17. Rain all last night and all day today. 
There has been no work done on the ditch since 
we came back, on account of the rain. The river 
is falling fast. A large wharf boat went down at 
noon. 

Feb. 18. Cloudy this morning, though not 

1863 



40 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

raining. The ground is covered with water and 
mud. The old wooden gunboat *'Tyler" is lying 
here at anchor. 

Feb. 19. Tuesday. Warm and pleasant. Mud 
drying up very fast. Work on the ditch was con- 
tinued today by four hundred Nigs. We draw 
rations for twelve hundred Negroes, Avenches, chil- 
dren and all. The women and children will be 
sent into the cotton fields to work. Men are 
detailed to oversee them. 

Feb. 20. Wednesday. Beautiful day. W^e 
played ball. 

Feb. 22. Friday. On guard. Stood picket in 
a large cotton field which contains five or six hun- 
dred acres of cotton, unpicked. I went back to 
the cane brake and got a fish pole. The guard of 
our forage train came in contact with some cav- 
alry in the vicinity of Old River and routed them. 
In the course of the proceedings a Negro teamster 
hopped off his horse, drew a revolver and shot a 
Reb who had just shot one of our Captains, and 
took two prisoners. 

Feb. 23. We were relieved early. The day was 
fine. A fleet of ten boats landed here this morning, 
having on board Logan's division. They landed 
and marched back about three miles and camped 
on the bank of the lake. John A. Logan looks 
fine. Colonel Stevenson looks the same as ever. 
It is rumored that he is trying to get us back into 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 41 

his brigade. A year ago today George and I ex- 
plored the caves under the bluff below the dam, and 
one year ago tomorrow we left the dam. Played 
ball this afternoon. There are about four hundred 
Negroes at work on the levee. 

Feb. 24. Played ball this forenoon and in the 
afternoon were detailed to extinguish a fire which 
destroyed the best part of town. The Post Office, 
one of the best buildings, was burned. We had 
dress parade at 4 o'clock. Gen. Logan's address 
to his troops was read to us. Grant and McPher- 
son were both here today. It is rumored that the 
"Star of the West" has been captured. 

Feb. 25. Our division was inspected today by 
Major Strong, Inspector-General. Ours was the 
first regiment inspected. We had a thunder shower 
in the afternoon and an awful one last night and 
this morning. Our tent leaked like a sieve. The 
river is rising very fast. The bank is being leveled 
to keep the water out of the canal. We had dress 
parade this evening. 

Feb. 28. We mustered and had regiment 
inspection this afternoon. Major Peats of Co. K 
complimented the troops quite highly on their 
clean guns. The ground is drying off fast. The 
river is still rising. There is much sickness, and 
about two burials take place every day. The 
"Eocket" came up tonight, bringing Gen. McPher- 

1863 



42 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

son. I heard an adjutant-general say that the 
Kebs had sunk the "Indianola." 

March 1. We had company inspection at 12 
o'clock and dress parade at 5 o'clock. We then 
drew clothing, which was needed very much. I 
drew three pair of socks and one pair of trousers. 

March 2. On picket in the cotton field today 
until about 3 o'clock, when Capt. Wheeler, officer 
of the day, came around and relieved us. They 
have the steam tug on the lake bank nearly ready 
to launch. 

March 3. We had a short game of ball this 
morning, but Buttons got mad and broke it up. 
Negroes are coming in very fast. We had dress 
parade at 5 o'clock, after which a game of ball. 
To close the scene Bill Lowe and Ragan had a 
fight. The river has risen over two inches a day. 

March 4. We had dress parade at 4 o'clock. 
Orders were read for regimental drill of one hour 
each forenoon and afternoon. 

March 5. We received the news of the Con- 
scription Act. It passed both Houses and became 
a law. It receives the general approval of the 
soldiers. Peats drilled us from 10 to 11 o'clock 
this forenoon, and from 2 until 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon. We had dress parade at 4 o'clock. 
There was an order read from Major Peats award- 
ing a medal, worth not less than fifty dollars, to 
the best drilled in the manual, and the most prompt 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 43 

in the discliaige of duty. He gives until the 1st of 
May. A dredge passed here today. Some of our 
boys found four hundred bales of cotton, a large 
pile of corn, and about two tons of meat hidden 
in canebrake and swamps. 

March 6. Friday. The gunboat "Tyler" came 
up last night and is lying here this morning. I 
helped make out muster-rolls today. 

March 7. We had a heavy rain storm last 
night. I finished making out the muster rolls for 
January and February. 

March 8. Sunday. We had a warm and sultry 
day which ended in a thunder and hail storm. We 
had dress parade at 4 o'clock. 

March 9. Helped get out the morning report 
book in the forenoon. At noon the company formed 
and we marched up town and received our pay. 
Mine was nineteen dollars. Cold and windy today. 
At about 2 o'clock heavy cannonading was heard 
on the other side of the river in the direction of 
Yazoo City. It was continued until after dark, 
and in the night it started again and continued 
for some time. 

March 10. Cold, rainy and disagreeable. We 
paid old Sampson off and let him go. We still 
still have our house and cook in it, and are living- 
very well at present. We draw crackers two-fifths 
of the time, and flour the remainder. We use 
cistern water altogether. The spirits of the troops 

1863 



44 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

are higher than they have been in six months. If 
old Abe would only call back a portion of the first 
volunteers they could soon annihilate the enemy. 

March 12. Bright and pleasant. About one 
hundred and twenty-five Nigs were set to work this 
morning to open the old levee and let the water in. 
We were ordered out of our house this morning. 
Had dress parade at 4 o'clock. The sentences of 
F, Co. A and W, Co. C, were read. The charges 
were attempted desertion. The sentence was the 
forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and to be 
confined in the military prison at Alton, 111., with 
a ball attached to the leg by a chain four feet long, 
to serve out the remainder of the time of their 
enlistment, and at the end of the three years to 
have ''D" branded on their right hips, their heads 
shaved, and to be drummed out of service. Some 
letters were read from the parents of the boys, 
counselling them to desert. 

March 13. Clear and pleasant. I made out 
the quarterly returns. For some reason they have 
suspended work on the cut. 

March 14. Bright and clear. Drill forenoon 
and afternoon. Dress parade in the evening, the 
same as yesterday. We had a game of baseball in 
the evening. I worked all day on the pay rolls. 

March 15. Warm and rainy. I arose before 
roll call and took a walk down to the levee. Vege- 
tation is starting rapidly. Peach trees are just in 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 45 

bloom, and some are leaved out. Logan's division 
came down and embarked on transports during 
the day. 

March 16. The long expected opening in the 
levee was made this evening, amid the shouts and 
cheers of the two divisions. The water was let 
through in two places, each about two feet wide. 
The heavy clay banks melted away rapidly. Along 
in the night we heard heavy cannonading. 

March 17. Hot and sultry. I got up at reveille 
and went down to see how the cut prospered, and 
found the water rushing through, a perfect torrent. 
The channel had washed out about one hundred 
feet and is still washing. If it does not succeed, 
it will not be for want of water. Captain Bush 
went through in a yawl this morning. It was a 
dangerous experiment, but he came out all right. 
In the course of the day some of Co. A went 
through with the same result. Some of the boys 
disturbed the bricks in one of the vaults in the 
cemetery and exposed a cast iron coffin, hermeti- 
cally sealed. The lid was moved and the head and 
shoulders of a man who had been dead for eighteen 
years were visible through the glass. It is a shame 
the way this cemetery has been used. The Nigs 
are at work putting up a temporary levee between 
camp and the ditch, as some of the town is being 
overflowed. The 11th 111. and 14th Wis. of our 
division went up the river a few miles and we hear 

1863 



46 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

they had a fight. Logan's division started up this 
morning. 

March 18. The ent has washed about one 
hundred feet since yesterday. The water in the 
ditch is rising fast. 

March 19. Thursday. Cloudy, looks like rain. 
Cleaning up and ditching our camj) was the order 
of the day. I was on the detail to dig a ditch on 
each side of the camp. The banks of the ditch are 
slowly washing back. It is now about one hundred 
and fifty feet at the first levee, and two hundred 
at the second. Water is slowly rising in both the 
ditch and the lake. The President has given 
deserters until April to report at a certain depot. 
Co. K expects about four back. 

March 20. Friday. I was up at reveille as 
usual and went down to the ditch. To my surprise 
I saw a big oak just outside the channel washed 
up by the roots. The tree was about three feet in 
diameter. Another of nearly the same size washed 
out before noon. I went fishing this morning. We 
can see fish weighing from forty to one hundred 
pounds, working up against the current. I threw 
my spear at them, but they were too far off. I 
saw a laughable incident this evening in front of 
McPherson's headquarters. Some of the boys were 
trying to fasten a yawl to a tree and float down to 
where the fish were showing themselves in an eddy. 
The first time they missed the tree and went whirl- 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 47 

nig into the center of tlie channel and came very 
near upsetting. They finally brought it to, and 
after a good deal of hard work, got it into position 
for another trial. This time they were successful, 
caught a projecting limb and pulled themeslves 
Into the eddy formed by rushing around the tree. 
After they had made themselves fast by a long 
rope, they undertook to get out of the eddy, Vv hich 
proved no easy job, for as soon as one end was 
pushed into the current the boat would whirl 
around and back up into its former position. 
While on the whirl it threw off one man's hat. 
McPherson and officers and nearly the whole regi- 
ment were out watching them, and the cheering 
was loud enough to raise the dead. It was nearly 
dark when they got out of their predicament. I 
worked nearly all day on the company's papers. 

March 21. The water rose in the canal so that 
it ran up into our camp in the night. It washed 
away the trees that were rooted up yesterday. The 
channel is smooth and a good boat could go through 
it. One year ago today we left Winchester, Vir- 
ginia, on our march for Manasses Junction. Part 
of Providence was burned this afternoon. The few 
citizens and Negroes whom the raise of the water 
had overtaken, were wading in the streets, waist 
deep, trying to save what things they had left. 

March 22. We had orders to draw and cook 
one day's rations early this morning. The water 

1863 



48 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

rose a good deal last night, and nothing but a 
small temporary levee keeps the camp from being 
inundated, and that is being washed away. The 
cattle and mules are all being driven higher up. 

March 23. It rained all night. Our tent leaked 
like a seive. We still remain in camp but it has 
rained nearly all day. 

March 24. We had a hard storm last night, 
with heavy thunder. This afternoon some miser- 
able fellows set fire to some buildings, among them 
a church. Such men should be sent to Alton. The 
channel is deepening and widening, and the water 
is rising. It is now about two feet above our camp. 
I expect some dark night to be wading out to our 
transports, and that right suddenly. The news 
came last night that a number of Farragut's fleet 
were at the mouth of the ditch, below Vicksburg, 
and that he had taken Warrentown with all its 
ordinance. Gen. Carr's division went down on 
transports today. 

March 27. Yesterday and today Buck and I 
were at work copying orders into the company 
order book. Today they discovered, in Logan's 
division, a girl who had served eighteen months as 
a private soldier. They took her to the preacher's 
to get her a dress' and will send her north. A good 
many of our boys saw her. 

March 28. Two large gunboats, both iron 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 49 

clads, went up early this morning. Troops are 
passing down. 

March 29. We had a lively time last night. 
A storm of rain and wind began about 10 o'clock 
in the evening and kept up until about 12, when 
the wind increased and the rain ceased. Out tent 
bent and reeled like a willow. I got up to dress 
before she went over, but had just got my legs into 
my trousers when down she came full tilt. I finally 
extricated myself, seized my knapsack and started 
for dry ground, got into the commissary and spread 
down, when to cap the climax the levee broke 
through and the water came rushing in upon us. 
The drums beat, the boys fell in, and we had a 
general move up the levee. Most all of the tents 
blew down and some of them were whipped nearly 
to pieces. In the meantime Captain Bush had his 
Negro brigade out, filled them up with whisky, and 
ordered them into the water waist deep. By dint 
of perseverance and hard work they succeeded in 
stopping the break. I took up some boards and 
passed the remainder of the night beside the cotton 
pile. This morning the effects of the storm were 
everywhere present. One of the boats was blown 
up on the beach, the smoke stacks of two others 
were blown away, and shanties everywhere were 
blown down and torn to pieces. It continued cold 
and windy all day. Charlie Berry came back last 
night. This afternoon Gen. Smith's (John E.) 

1863 



so THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

division came down and anchored here for the 
night. In the afternoon some of the boys of the 
14th made a break on the sutler's stock. It was 
no more than done when the 17th and 95th 111., 1st 
Kan., and IGth Wis. came rolling over the levee. 
Canned fruit, boxes of boots, shoes, oysters, 
oranges, lemons, bales of shirts, pants, socks, 
drawers, barrels of soda crackers and sugar, boxes 
of raisins, and in fact everything which the large 
stock could contain. He had just got in a new 
assignment, valued at somewhere near |10,000. 
The poor old fellow ran around wringing his hands 
and wishing he had staid in "Chicago.'' The guard 
arrived just as they had him completely cleaned 
out. I can say that my hands are clear of such 
wholesale robbery. At 9 o'clock roll call the com- 
panies had orders to deliver up the contraband 
articles in their possession. 

March 30. Monday. Cold. The boys have 
turned over most of the stolen goods. Gen Smith's 
division started on its way down this afternoon. 
Gen. Grant is concentrating troops rapidly, the 
grand issue must be approaching, and the sooner 
the better. This afternoon we drew the old fash- 
ioned wedge tents, one for every four men. 

March 31. Tuesday. Frank, Newt, Jim 
Sweeny and I comprise our newly established house- 
hold, and we were busy until afternoon raising and 
settling our tent, and building our bunks. We 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 51 

went out foraging last night and made a raise of 
boards enough to put up our tent, build our bunks, 
etc. This afternoon the little tug came out of the 
lake into the river. We are having very cold 
weather for the place and time of the year. We 
hear that Gen. McArthur has acquitted the 17th 
111. of the raid. One year ago tonight the 12th Ind. 
was camped at Bristo Station, and I made my 
unsuccessful search for Uncle Lebbeus. 

April 1. Wednesday. Last night was cold and 
frosty. A boat came in with a load of deserters. 
There were quite a number for the 17th, but none 
for company K. About the middle of the forenoon 
a steamer passed up, towing an iron clad. She 
must have been disabled at Yazoo or at Vicksburg, 

April 2. At 11 o'clock last night an orderly 
call sounded and we received the orders to cook 
two days' rations, and be ready at 7 o'clock, to 
board the transport for a foraging expedition. The 
morning was cool and pleasant. At the appointed 
time we boarded the steamer "David Tatum" and 
proceeded slowly up the river. On the way we saw 
where the levee had been cut in a number of places, 
the water was rushing through rapidly. All the 
country back was flooded. We stopped and took a 
couple of Negroes and a fine yawl. We arrived at 
our destination about 4 P. M. It was sixty-five 
miles above Providence Lake. The object was to 
secure a barge of hay which had been wrecked and 

1863 



52 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

partly sunk the niglit of the storm. There were 
six compauies of us, and we were divided into 
reliefs of two companies each, and set to loading 
the hay. 

April 3. We succeeded in getting- the boat 
loaded by 3 P. M., then we started down and 
landed fifteen miles below and killed a lot of hogs 
and took a large, beautiful, ten oared boat. It was 
the nicest thing of the kind I had ever seen. Frank 
and Doty took some books and got themselves into 
trouble. We backed off and started down about 
dusk. Peats had four or five men tied up. We met 
a fleet of thirteen boats just after starting. After 
dark there was a light waved on shore as a signal 
to come to, but the Captain thought it might be a 
decoy so we steered on down and arrived at our 
camp about 11 o'clock. 

April 4. The paymaster is here and we sign 
the pay rolls this afternoon for four months' pay. 
Hospital boats are giong below and there is every 
indication of an approaching engagement. 

April 5. Was detailed and worked all after- 
noon unloading commissaries from the "Wood- 
sides" to the "City of Madison," a commissary 
boat of the post. A gunboat went down the river 
this afternoon. 

April 6. Monday. Today is a great day for 
the 17th, as it is the anniversary of the battle of 
Shiloh. We moved back to the cotton field this 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 53 

morning, it being much higher and a better camp- 
ing ground. It took most of the day to move, raise 
our tents and settle. 

April 7. Tuesday. A general clearing up of 
camps which took until this afternoon. Tom Mar- 
tin came back yesterday and an order was read at 
dress parade returning him to duty. 

April 8. Wednesday. At 11 o'clock this fore- 
noon an orderly call was beaten and we received 
orders to be ready in fifteen minutes with all our 
arms and all our accoutrements on, to march down 
with other brigades of the division, to a large plan- 
tation house. Upon the porch stood Generals 
Thomas, McPherson, McArthur, Crocker, and a 
drove of the "rankest commish," such as Colonels, 
Lieut. Cols., and Majors. Gen. Thomas was a fine 
stately looking man, tall, with iron gray hair, and 
apparently about sixty-five years of age. He was 
introduced by Gen. McPherson in a pleasant 
speech. Gen. Thomas then made a few remarks in 
which he expressed great sympathy for the poor 
enslaved Africans, and announced the President's 
settled policy of arming the Negroes. He author- 
ized two regiments to be raised here. He said he 
had authority to commission officers for said regi- 
ments, where the applicants came well recom- 
mended. I like the policy. He also said the object 
of it v/as to protect the navigation of the Missis- 
sippi and defend other Negroes who were at work 

1863 



54 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

on abandoned plantations trying to raise their 
living. After Gen. Thomas was through, Gen. 
McArthnr was called on. He came forward and 
gave a short, good natured speech. He was heart- 
ily cheered. After him came Col. Reed of the 15th 
Iowa, Crocker, and Captain Chink, who by the 
way, is to be Colonel of one of the regiments. 
When they had concluded we marched back to 
camp and Gen. Thomas boarded the steamer 
"Rocket" and started up to Logan's division. When 
we returned six applications had been handed in 
for appointments in the regiments of color — from 
Co. K, namely: Hines, Davis, Foxears, Foster, 
Chesher and Berry. 

April 9. Warm and pleasant, in fact we have 
had beautiful weather for over two weeks. Major 
Peats is gone and Capt. Moore is in command of 
the regiment. Nearly half the company went fish- 
ing this afternoon. Buck got a pass to take us 
outside the pickets and we caught about a mess. 
We had dress parade at 5 :30 P. M. Two boats, the 
"Edward Walsh" and the "City of Alton" came 
down with deserters. There were two for our 
company. 

April 10. Warm and pleasant. At 10 o'clock 
we had muster. The whole U. S. forces are to be 
mustered today, to find the exact condition of the 
army, and the number of conscripts needed to fill 
the regiments up to the required standard. We 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 55 

had dress parade this evening in which the two 
deserters were returned to their companies by a 
regimental order. Our company needs about fifty- 
four to fill it up. 

April 11. Saturday. A beautiful day. On 
regimental guard. Most of the company have gone 
fishing. We have as easy and fine times now as 
it is possible for soldiers to have. Foster got the 
position of Captain in the new regiment. They 
had a Negro meeting this afternoon. Chink, and 
a colored man named Frederick Douglas, spoke. 

April 12. We had a hard rain last night. Our 
new tents did not stand the storm much better 
than the old ones. They disappointed us much. 

Captain Wheeler succeeded in getting B 

an appointment in the 9th La., Chink's regiment. 
Some of the boys are quite hurt to think as poor 
a soldier as he should have the appointment. They 
went down below on the "Platte Valley" and 
brought up a large number of Negro recruits. 

April 13. Rainy and disagreeable. Ross's 
division passed below today. They did not land. 

April 14. Cool and cloudy. I was detailed 
and went down the river foraging. It was about 
six miles and the roads were very muddy. About 
5 o'clock, Hornby's division came down direct from 
Yazoo Pass. The "Lady of Jackson," the "Duke 
of Argyle" and other stern wheelers were nearly 
ruined in that expedition. They were the nicest 

1863 



56 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

boats on the river when they left here a month ago. 
The 48th Ind. was aboard. I hunted up John 
Meteruich and had a long talk with him. 

April 15. Wednesday. Went down and visited 
with John this morning, until the fleet backed off 
and started down. 

April 1G. Gen. McClernand and staff went 
below today. More troops passed down the river. 
Some of the troops broke into a sutler's shop night 
before last, and there is an investigation going on, 
so we are not to get our pay until it is settled. 
Capt. jMoore spoke to the regiment tonight on dress 
parade and offered one hundred dollars to the man 
furnishing the most evidence of the guilty parties. 
We have review of the division tomorrow, and 
brushes and blacking are in great demand tonight 
The Captain buys it with the company fund and 
furnishes it to us. 

April 17. Our brigade was formed at 8:30 
A, M. and we marched down about three miles, 
where we found the other brigades drawn up en 
mass awaiting us. We were reviewed by McArthur 
and everything passed off in style. I think we 
never did better. We returned to camp about 2 
o'clock. Capt. Moore (commanding the regiment) 
told us he would leave a paper with the Captains 
of the different companies, for those not implicated 
in the sutler raid to sign. The Negro regiments 
are filling up fast. Today I saw one on guard for 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 57 

the first time. There was heavy cannonading for 
about four hours last night, and occasionally today. 
It is supposed the fleet is trying to run the blockade. 

April 18. Saturday. Warm and pleasant. Our 
brigade is ordered down the river for review. It 
was supposed to be done for Gov. Yates, but he did 
not arrive, and McArthur took us through, the 
same as the day before. I think we did slightly 
better than we did the other time. A little after 
dark we had an awful storm of wind and rain. I 
got up and dressed, thought surely the tent was 
going over, but it was all right. 

April 19. Sunday. We got four months' pay 
today — no pay was deducted. I expressed home 
155 and Frank sent |45. 

April 23. Thursday. On picket at the Negro 
quarters of the 8th La. Leavitt volunteered to 
stand my guard. We got orders this evening to 
prepare three days' rations for a foraging expedi- 
tion up the river. Capt. Wheeler went home today. 

April 24. Friday. We boarded the ''White 
Cloud" this morning and started up to Greenville, 
where we arrived in the afternoon. A regiment 
had just boarded transports and started below. 
We lay there until after dark, then started and 
landed toward morning, about seventy-five miles 
above Greenville. 

April 25. Buck took Fox, Boggs and I outside 
the pickets and we went up about two miles to a 

1863 



58 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

fine plantation where we got a lot of butter, a 
knife, some forks, a chicken, and all the sweet milk 
we could drink. We found the overseer's account 
book hidden in an old chicken coop with some 
other things. At night the chickens, goats, sheep 
and hogs came in by wholesale, together with a lot 
of beeves. The object of our expedition was to 
obtain Negroes and supplies. 

April 26. Sunday. Twenty-one years old today. 
How my mind carries me back to those good old 
times when I used to welcome this day of all others, 
when my sister, aunts, and grandpa composed the 
family circle. What a change! That good old 
man whose memory I revere and cherish, is gone, 
and the old place is sold. On picket today. Mos- 
quitoes are very thick. 

April 27. It rained this forenoon. We started 
back about 1 o'clock and arrived at Lake Provi- 
dence. Found orders there awaiting us, to leave 
in tlie morning for Vicksburg. I took a good wash 
and went to bed. The river is rising very fast. 
The Captain commanding the expedition did not 
want us to take off our live stock, but the boys 
threw them overboard and secured them as they 
swam ashore. 

April 29. Wednesday. Making out muster 
rolls today. We had dress parade at 5 o'clock. 
The "Edward Walsh" came up this morning for 
the 95th and us. We are to return to Stevenson's 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 59 

brigade. Stevenson is now Brigadier-General. Wg 
expect warm work shortl}^ The river is falling 
rapidly. It is a nnmber of feet below where it was 
in the spring when we first came down here. I 
was walking on the bank this evening when whom 
should I see but Coon, the little Negro who used 
to cook for Capt. Williamson. A new iron clad 
boat and hospital boat went down the river yester- 
day. I wrote two letters today, one to Eosalie, 
and one to George Butterfield. 

April 30. Thursday. Major Peats returned 
last evening and at 8 o'clock this morning, mus- 
tered us for pay, after which we boarded the 
steamer "Edward Walsh" for Miliken's Bend. 
Most of the boys bought what was called black- 
berry jam, but it was merely liquor in cans and 
created a drunken row in which some were hurt, 
one officer and two privates. Arrived at the Bend 
before dark. The troops have all left, except the 
convalescents. They took one tent to each com- 
pany and loaded the train with commissaries, hard- 
tack, pork, coffee, salt and sugar. I took a towel, 
one pair of socks, my oilcloth and blanket. This 
evening we heard heavy and continued firing up 
the Yazoo, supposed to be Sherman attacking 
Hams Bluffs. 

May 1. Friday. Up at 4, and started on our 
march at daylight, accompanied by the 95th and 
a big train of commissaries. A fine road has been 

1863 



60 THE SIEGE OF VIC KS BURG 

made by Bush's engineering corps. We passed 
through Kichmond, a small country town. It is a 
beautiful country and the planters are wealthy. 
The plantations range from six hundred to twenty- 
four hundred acres. The land is low and level and 
the soil is rich. The roads have been very bad, but 
are better now. We made a hard march of nine- 
teen miles. 

May 2. Marched fifteen miles, very tired. We 
passed McArthur's division this forenoon. Weather 
awfully hot. 

May 3. Started at 5 o'clock, as usual. The 
country through which we are now passing is the 
most beautiful I have ever seen. The plantation 
mansions are grand, and the grounds and outbuild- 
ings are fitted up in fine style. Each plantation 
has a splendid steam gin, and some have steam 
cane-mills as well. The mills must have cost 
between ten and twenty, possibly thirty thousand 
dollars. The inhabitants have but recently left. 
They put in their corn crops, and some cotton, 
before going. The corn is nearly two feet in height. 
The boys have destroyed a number of gins and a 
good deal of furniture. The roads have mostly 
followed the banks of bayous, and alligators, tur- 
tles and snakes abound. The boys have shot a 
number of alligators. We marched twenty miles 
today. I became overheated and completely 
exhausted. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 61 

May 4. We started early and after marching 
eight miles, arrived at the landing called "Hard 
Times/' where we took the steamer "Silver Wave." 
We crossed the river and landed four miles below 
at Grand Gulf. There is a high prometory and a 
range of bluffs here which the Rebels had forfeited 
with nine guns. It commanded the entrance to 
the Black River as well as the Mississippi. It was 
a fort of nature's own construction. We have had 
a fatiguing march and a good many have given 
out. Grant's headquarters are eighteen miles back. 
We hear that Logan's division is in advance and 
has done good fighting, also that many prisoners 
have been taken. I should like to hear from home 
very much just now. 

May 5. Gov. Yates and Adjt. Gen. Thomas are 
^here. We are detailed to remain here and do 
fatigue duty. The burning barges loaded with 
provisions came down this evening. The town of 
Grand Gulf is entirely destroyed. I didn't know 
there had been a town there until told. 

May 6. We hear that McClernand's troops are 
advancing. One hundred and twenty-eight prison- 
ers came in this morning. We are having a very 
cold snap for this time of the year. 

May 7. Thursday. Very cold again today. 
Had to stand around the fire to keep warm. Sev- 
enty-four more prisoners came in today. A good 
many of our boys found old friends or acquain- 

1863 



62 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

tances among them. They have been very poorly 
dressed and fed. There is general activity today, 
Steele's division is crossing over — also Tuttle's. 
Gunboats and transports are engaged in the work. 

May 8. Friday. All quiet. Sherman's corps 
moved out this morning. An exorbitant price is 
demanded for everything. A sheet of paper and 
envelope are five cents each. Twenty-five cents for 
a lemon ; six dollars for a canteen of w^hisky ; milk 
costs a dollar a quart, and other things in propor- 
tion. At 5 o'clock we boarded the "Empire City" 
for the lower landing, fifteen miles below, to pro- 
tect the hospital and bring off the wounded. 

May 9. Saturday. We disembarked early this 
morning and went back in the country three miles 
where we found about three hundred of our 
wounded in a splendid country mansion. The 
books show that the house cost over one hundred 
thousand dollars. We lay here in the shade during 
the day while the ambulances were carrying the 
wounded down to the river. 

May 10. Sunday. We were awakened last 
night at 11 o'clock and ordered to fall in with all 
possible speed. We hurried back to the river and 
returned to Grand Gulf, which was supposed to 
be in danger of an attack. Flats and transports 
brought down shipping teams which sent food to 
the front. Cumbersworth, Hagan and Hunt each 
got a barrel of flour last night when they were on 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 63 

extra duty, burying a soldier. 

May 11. Monday. Made out muster rolls this 
forenoon. Blair's division came down this after- 
noon. 

May 12. Tuesday. On brigade guard. Jim 
Chester and I went outside the pickets and picked 
dewberries and mulberries, all we could eat. 

May 13. Wednesday. I made a raise on com- 
missary last night. Boggs, Schultz and I ran the 
pickets and got some mulberries this morning, and 
brought back four quai-ts of which we made pies 
this afternoon. McArthur's division is coming in. 
Hooker is fighting a great battle in the East. We 
cannot get the particulars. 

May 14. Thursday. We got orders this morn- 
ing to be ready to move at a moment's notice. We 
hear that Grant has had another battle. The "Gen. 
Price" came up this morning from Red River. We 
were ordered on the march at 8 o'clock. It rained 
just enough to lay the dust and make good march- 
ing. We marched ten miles and camped on a small 
stream. The country is rough and hilly. The 
roads follow the ranges of hills, so there are few 
to climb. Every patch of ground that is tillable is 
tilled and planted to corn. 

May 15. Friday. Marched twenty miles, saw 
some fine fields of wheat that are just turning. We 
heard the cheering news today that Richmond, the 
Rebel capital, is captured, and also that Jackson, 

1863 



64 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

Miss., is taken. The country is the same as yester- 
day — rough and hilly. 

May 16. Saturday. We had a hard inarch of 
twenty-five miles today. We passed through Utica 
and camped at Raymond. We heard cannonading 
in the direction of Big Black Bridge. A battle is 
supposed to be taking place. The hills have grad- 
ually disappeared and the face of the country is 
quite smooth. I saw wheat nearly ready for the 
reaper. The boys are tired tonight. I keep up 
fine. We passed a number of hospitals filled with 
the wounded and also passed a large number of 
prisoners. 

May 17. Sunday. We started for Big Black 
Bridge early. Nine miles out we came upon the 
road leading from Jackson to Yicksburg, and were 
upon the battle ground of yesterday. The horrors 
of war were everywhere visible. The dead and 
wounded were scattered around over the ground. 
Here we came upon Bill Stafford, who said 
McPherson's corps took seventeen hundred prison- 
ers and thirteen pieces of artillery, but were badly 
cut up. They are burying the dead. It is rumored 
that Pemberton was killed. In one place the horses 
of nearly a whole battery were killed. We marched 
five miles, joined our old brigade, and camped on 
Black River. Our advance has reached the bridge, 
and taken three thousand prisoners, and seventeen 
cannon. McPherson says we have taken seven 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 65 

thousand prisoners and sixty-eight pieces of light 
artillery since crossing the Mississippi. We saw 
Stevenson and Logan this afternoon. I saw 
Quimby when we stopped for dinner. A number of 
fellows swam the Black Eiver and captured chick- 
ens, pigs, etc. The Rebels have chosen their own 
ground and have been badly whipped each time. 
We draw scarcely any rations. Engineers are 
bridging the river. 

May 18. Monday. We lay in camp until 1 
o'clock, when the bridge was completed and orders 
came to advance. We crossed in the rear of Blair's 
division and marched to within six miles of Vicks- 
burg. The country is nothing but a succession of 
hills. Sherman's corps was in the advance. The 
roads were very dusty, but we marched six miles 
before we bivouaced for the night, tired, hungry. 

May 19. Tuesday. Arose early and advanced 
three miles and formed our line of battle, our 
brigade on the left of Smith's. We held this line 
until afternoon. On the right they fought a little, 
some balls passing over our heads. About 1 o'clock 
we moved up and formed a line. Shells passed 
over our heads, one man in our regiment was 
wounded and three horses killed. By this time our 
batteries were planted and the cannonading became 
genera.l It lasted until 3 o'clock and then slack- 
ened and we moved to the right about half a mile. 
McPherson, Logan and Stevenson are in the thick- 

1863 



66 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

est of it. We hear that Sherman's right rests on 
the Mississippi, and McClernand's left, below. If 
so they have them completely surrounded. All 
praise to Gen. Grant. The country is rough and 
hilly, and the hills steep and rugged, and run in 
ranges parallel around the town. At 1 o'clo(± we 
moved still further to the left and a little forward. 
Wounded men are being brought in rapidly. We 
lay here till morning. 

May 20. Wednesday. We were astir early and 
took breakfast. Cannonading began at daylight. 
We were ordered back to our brigade and moved 
up to the road. Shells were thrown over, so we 
moved to the right and were drawn up. Here we 
were protected by a hill, and awaited orders. We 
were soon ordered to the left, and advanced about 
half a mile or more, and lay under the brow of a 
hill which protected us from the enemy's fire. Their 
line of works are but forty rods in advance. 

10 o'clock — Batteries on our right have opened 
and there is a regular artillery duel going on over 
our heads. There is an occasional premature burst, 
one of which seriously wounded Dare. Doty and 
Shaw each got a slight rap. Our line of skirmishes 
while and fired fifty-nine rounds. Wliile there, 
are on the hill above. I went up and skirmished a 
word was brought me that Frank was slightly 
wounded. The ball hit a pocket, which was full of 
things, broke a looking glass, the handle of a tooth- 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 67 

brush, and a thick letter from Cousiu Sarah. It 
merely broke the skin, making a bruise. He had 
not fired a single shot. Seven of our regiment were 
wounded today. We lay here all night. A singular 
incident happened during the night. We struck up 
a conversation with the Rebels. One of our boys, 
after talking a long time, found he was talking 
with an old friend. Inquiries were made for 
mutiml acquaintances, and they had a real social 
time. Finally they laid down their arms and came 
together. The line of fire that followed the shell 
from our gunboats and mortars sent over that ill- 
fated town was a grand sight. 

May 21. Thursday. At daylight the imple- 
ments of death and destruction were opened once 
more. I saw some splendid work done by our 
artillery and there were many little incidents 
worthy of note. Three shots came very near hitting 
me, one went between Doty's head and mine, which 
were about a foot apart. Brisk fighting all day. 
Bill Stafford came here and I wrote a few lines 
home and sent them by him to mail. At dark the 
firing ceased and a lively chat was again opened 
by the contending parties. It looked singular to 
see men fighting with deadly aim during the day, 
and then spending the night in friendly conversa- 
tion. I slept in the same hollow. Gunboats and 
mortars fired at regular intervals. 

May 22. Our line of skirmishes opened at day- 
1863 



68 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

light as usual. 7 o'clock — Scaling ladders are 
being brought around. 10 o'clock — Deployed for 
the charge. Terrific cannonading going on over our 
heads. Shells are prematurely bursting, wounding 
our own men. Night — The day has finally passed 
away. The 81st 111. and the 7th Mo. made the 
charge and were repulsed. Charging was done 
along the whole of the lines, but it was not a con- 
certed movement and proved a total failure, owing 
probably to the nature of the grounds. Our boys 
charged up to the works in splendid style but were 
not supported. The Confederates raised and poured 
deadly volumes among them and swept their ranks 
with grape. We left a good nmny killed and 
wounded upon the field. Among the officers, the 
Colonel of the 81st was killed and Humphries of 
the 95th. Our regiment made no charge, but 
advanced close to the works and acted as sharp- 
shooters, and when our charging column was 
repulsed, we were ordered to retreat. J. R., fool- 
like, gave the order loud and distinct, and as we 
fell back they poured the musketry and grape 
among us. We finally returned to the old camp, 
having lost eighteen, killed and wounded. The 
Rebel works extend as far as the eye can see. They 
are a succession of forts and rifle pits. 

May 23. Saturday. Rainy. How I wish I had 
a clean shirt or time to wash this ! We were up in 
good time and moved toward the scene of action. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 69 

We again acted as skirmishers. No charges were 
made today. We lost two men. As soon as it was 
dark, Sweeny, Chester and myself dug a fort on 
the brow of the hill, and also a line of retreat. 
While we were at work the Rebels struck up a 
conversation. They were lively and sociable. They 
wanted to meet us half way and have a sensible 
chat. They appeared quite confident of holding the 
place. They made a great many inquiries after old 
friends and acquaintances. They are tired of war, 
generally and said they wish old Abe and Jeff Davis 
had to fight it out. They said they would give any- 
thing for a little coffee. The conversation became 
too general and our batteries opened and put a 
quietus on it by sending over a few quiet reminders. 
May 24. Sunday. Up early and took our posi- 
tion behind the works. I had fired but one shot 
when we were relieved by the 80th 111., and re- 
turned to camp for a day's rest. Toward noon 
Grant issued an order for each man to wash and 
clean up. The order was quickly and gladly obeyed. 
Captain Wheeler's company returned today. Bill 
was here but a short time when he was wounded. 
Two of our men were wounded. The rumor is 
afloat that Joe Johnston is coming up in our rear. 
It had the effect of closing up a lot of miserable 
stragglers. We have a line of rifle pits dug within 
five or six rods of the Rebel works, running par- 
allel, from which the 20th 111. is trying to under- 

1863 



70 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

mine the main fort. The Rebels are no doubt 
suspicious of their intentions, for they began to 
rain doAvn grenades upon them. About this time 
a sad accident happened. One of the thirty-two 
pound parrots threw a shell among the 20th, which 
took olf the legs and an arm for one poor fellow, 
a leg and an arm for another, killed two, and 
wounded several others. This double attack was 
too much for them and they fell back. This encour- 
aged the Rebels and they rose and poured a heavy 
and continued fire upon us, which was finally 
silenced by our sharp-shooters and artillery. Lavo- 
nan's division has been sent back to take care of 
the rear. We are confident of success. I stood 
one hour picket tonight. 

May 25. Monday. A good deal of firing and 
some cannonading up to 3 o'clock, when a flag of 
truce came out, I was over the hills after plums 
at the time. There was a cessation of firing along 
the whole line. Dispatches were sent to Gen. Grant. 
Logan went down to the Hollow where he met the 
Rebel Colonel Montgomry, a major and a number 
of other officers. Hostilities were suspended till 8 
o'clock and we went over and buried our dead of 
the day of the charge. They had lain three days 
in the sun and had turned black. Firing had no 
sooner ceased along the line than the contending 
parties mingled like a flock of sheep. A great 
many found friends and relatives, and two or three 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 71 

found brothers. The Eebels were very anxious to 
exchange for coffee. They are, taken altogether, 
the finest looking lot of Confeds I have seen. We 
mingled to such an extent that their officers 
ordered them back, I think that they were afraid 
to trust them, for a good many did desert. When 
they turned back they bade us good-bye and said 
it was hard to open hostilities again. Frank is 
around. I got a letter from home. 

May 26. Tuesday. Very little artillery firing 
this forenoon. I went down to Cook's quarters, 
got some paper for Buck, and wrote home. They 
are connecting headquarters with telegraph wires. 
One man was wounded this afternoon. One bri- 
gade from each division is moving back to the rear. 
They moved about 11 o'clock at night, under the 
command of Gen. Frank Blair. Heavy details are 
at work entrenching. 

May 27. Wednesday. Moved back to the next 
hollow in the night. This morning Brophy was 
wounded. The day was mostly spent in fixing up 
cane brake shanties or shades. Toward night, 
Wood of Co. A was killed. 

May 28. Thursday. We were ordered sharp- 
shooting this morning. Nothing extraordinary 
happened. Dick Stephens was killed this after- 
noon — shot through the head. I was on guard last 
night. They threw three or four shells over us. 
Were busy all the fore part of the night issuing 

1863 



72 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

rations, and bringing water from the river. Col. 
Smith came back today. 

May 29. Friday. We were relieved and re- 
turned to camp early this morning. Jim Chesher 
was wounded. The ball passed through our shanty 
and over me. Our artillery along the whole line 
opened this morning and it was a grand sight. The 
Rebels dare not reply. They did not show a piece. 
We fired one hour this morning and one this even- 
ing — giving them their daily rations, also opened 
in the night pouring hundreds of shot and shell 
among them. 

May 31. Sunday. Today ends one month of 
active campaign, which has so far been successful, 
and I do not see why it should not end more 
brilliantly than it has begun. I hope to Heaven it 
will. Bill Stafford brought over the news this 
morning that Joe Johnston is fortifying Jackson. 
Our knaps came in from Young's Point today all 
riglit. The weather is hot and sultry. Some artil- 
lery firing. I went upon the hill this evening to 
see the mortars shell the town. The sight is beau- 
tiful, but it is sad to think of those deadly missies 
so faithfully doing their work of destruction. Many 
a family tie has no doubt been severed. We hear 
that a great many women and children have been 
killed. Surely the instigators of war ought to 
suffer. 

June 1. Monday. A terrific cannonading was 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 73 

Opened and kept np a long time from our line last 
night. I think it must have awakened some of the 
Eebels from their slumbers. Kumors are afloat this 
morning that the Confeds tried to cut their way 
through but were driven back. We had inspection 
of arms this morning, by Eeynolds, at 10 o'clock. 
The artillery are getting a heavy supply of ammu- 
nition ready at their batteries and are preparing 
for operations. The weather is hot. We have a 
well dug in the quarters, which furnishes good 
water, 

June 2. The mortar boats were unusually 
active last night, and part of the town was burned. 
It made a grand illumination. Towards morning 
infantry firing opened, also artillery. We were 
immediately formed for action, not knowing what 
was coming, but we thought it was the Eebs. It 
finally died down and we lay ready to fall in at 
a moment's notice, but were not disturbed until 
morning. We were up before the sun, preparing 
to be out sharp-shooting. Our artillery opened the 
middle of the afternoon and poured a perfect tor- 
rent of shot and shell over us. A good many burst 
among us. One man was wounded and we thought 
ourselves very lucky that no more were hurt. At 
night our boys tried to strike up a confab with 
the enemy, but not a word could be drawn from 
them. They were as silent as their works. 

June 3. Wednesday. We were relieved early 
1863 



74 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

and returned to camp. Quiet during the day. 
Siege guns are coming up and heavy details are at 
work, entrenching and fortifying. About 8 o'clock, 
just as I had gone to bed and gotten to sleep, after 
a good wash, we were awakened by the boom of 
musketry, and ordered to form our line of battle 
immediately. We did so. Co. K and one or two 
others were held in reserve while the others were 
at work digging rifle pits. The firing gradually 
died away as it did the night before, and we lay 
down at 2 o'clock in the morning, dressed and 
equipped so as to be ready to fall in at a moment's 
warning. It was rumored that the Kebs were mak- 
ing a desperate effort to cut their way through the 
net Grant completely enclosed them in, but the 
rumor proved false. 

June 4. Thursday. All quiet. Heavy details 
were made to work on fortifications. One detail 
was at work digging a magazine which caved in 
and killed one man and wounded another from our 
regiment. I v/as on the detail that worked on the 
big fork of the road. I worked for over an hour in 
plain view of the Rebel sharp-shooters on the right. 
They were not more than one hundred and fifty or 
two hundred yards distant. I expected a ball every 
minute, but for some reason they didn't fire until 
our relief came on and then they sent a volley over. 
The work we are constructing here is on an emi- 
nence not more than twenty rods from the main 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 75 

Rebel fort. From here one can see the river, town, 
and a large hospital camp, also three lines of works, 
mostly rifle pits. We have heard that the fire in 
town the other night was their commisary depot 
and that the citizens set it on fire to end their 
sutferings, which were beyond their power of 
patriotism and fortitude to endnre. It is rumored 
that they first requested Pemberton to cut out or 
surrender. The Rebels called over the line the 
other night for us to look out as they had a new 
General. We asked who it was and they replied: 
"General Starvation." Blair's expedition is return- 
ing from the rear; they went within sixteen miles 
of Yazoo City, but old Joe was nowhere to be found. 
A division has just come down from above. I wrote 
home today. 

June 5. Friday. All quiet today, I went out 
with Boggs and picked some blackberries. At dusk 
I went up to look at the fort, and after dark got 
over to look at the "land gunboat" as it is called. 
Frank went over to the Point after some of the 
Captain's things. 

June G. Saturday. There was a little skirmish 
last night on the left. Drove in the Rebel outposts 
and captured one prisoner. A number of deserters 
came in today. Six siege guns are coming up from 
the river. Today is the quietest we have had since 
we took up our position before the town. 

June 7. Sunday. Up early, regiment formed 

1863 



76 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

and went out skirmishing. The Eebels command 
a hollow which we were obliged to cross. They 
poured in quite a fire, but no one was hurt. The 
regiment came across all right. 

June 8. Monday. The company formed before 
daylight and we crossed the exposed hollow before 
light, leaving three men at the rifle pits. Artillery 
firing tonight. Boggs and I went up to the big fort. 
It is progressing finely. We were fired at from 
there. After dark they had a regular moonlight 
skirmish and in the fracas our "land gunboat" was 
burned. We succeeded in running it nearly up to 
the fort. 

June 9. Tuesday. Went back about one and 
one-half miles with Doty and Boggs, got three 
quarts of berries, and took a good wash. Very hot 
and dusty. We are anxiously looking for rain. 
Our eighty-four pound siege gun has arrived. 

June 10. Wednesday. We had not more than 
finished our early breakfast when the flood gates 
of heaven, with all its artillery opened. The rain 
poured down on our houseless heads in torrents. 
We covered up our things with oilcloths as best 
we could and sat on them to keep them dry. Some 
of the boys were located in the ditch, but they 
were doomed to a complete rout. The water came 
sweeping down in torrents, bearing shanties, rails, 
and every obstruction before it. The ditch was no 
sooner filled than it overran the bottom, sending 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 77 

the occupants skadaddling to higher ground. It 
rained all day in showers, not giving us time to dry 
our blankets. It has most effectively laid the dust. 
The Kebs have taken advantage of the rain and 
tried to plant a battery, but our artillery poured in 
round after round, slightly deranging their plans. 
We have our eighty-four pounder mounted. Was 
detailed for guard at the amunition magazine just 
before night. We had another heavy shower after 
dark. 

June 11. Thursday. It cleared off in the 
course of the day but the ground is muddy. We 
had another man wounded today, making thirty- 
nine in all. Our big gun threw over some shell 
and did splendid work. Our division has about 
forty cane breakers, none from our regiment. They 
have to work at fatigue. There is talk of working 
them into a pioneer corps. It is reported that 
Grant has gone up the Yazoo and left McPherson 
in command. McPherson is gaining the good will 
of his corps rapidly. He is almost universally 
liked and esteemed. We were relieved early and 
returned to camp. I exchanged my minnie for an 
Enfield. 

June 12. Friday. Some artillery along the 
line. The old gun occasionally sends over its dirt 
disturbers. We have had a beautiful day. The 
Rebs sent over a few shells, one of which burst 
over our regiment, but hurt no one. Doty, Schultz 

1863 



78 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

and I went after blackberries this morning. I got 
five or six quarts. Troops are coming up the land- 
ing and going up to the Yazoo. Huron's command 
went up yesterday. They had an engagement at 
Milliken's Bend. Negro troops were in action and 
are reported to have done well. Frank Bishop was 
killed. 

June 14. Sunday. Another fine day. Rebs 
unusually active, throwing shell. They have one 
gun that is causing us considerable trouble. It is 
back in the rear and our artillery cannot disturb 
it. I wrote home today. 

June 15. Monday. We were aroused at 3 
o'clock this morning. The company was formed 
and went out sharpshooting. The enemy were 
rather quiet, but they had a piece of artillery or 
mortar directly opposite from which they sent over 
tehell all day. It was out of sight, but we had our 
artillery loaded and ready and as soon as we could 
see the smoke from their guns the shells were put 
in from all directions. A number burst pre- 
maturely. They killed Milligan of Co. A, and 
wounded three others. Boggs got a slight rap. It 
hit his gun first and spoiled that, and then hit him 
on the arm. As soon as it was dark we struck up 
a conversation. Uncle Ben and four of the others 
went down and met an equal number of Confeds. 
They had quite a chat, but could get no satisfac- 
tion from it. They say they have lain in rifle pits 

€981 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 79 

nearly a month. The 36th Miss, is opposite ns. 
They all tell ns the Tenn. and Mo. troops are kept 
in the rear becanse they cannot trust them on the 
outposts. Two or three deserted and came over 
to headquarters last night. They showed three 
days' rations, it would have done for one meal, such 
as it was — a small strip of thin pork and a chunk 
of bread baked out of peas. They came to the 
conclusion they would rather die cowards than 
martyrs. 

June 1G. Tuesday. Up at 5 o'clock and re- 
turned to camp. Doty and I started for black- 
berries. I picked a gallon. Davis got an order 
for flour and sugar. Kagan baked pies. Frank 
and I got a letter from home. 

June 17. Wednesday. Cool and pleasant. 
Eebs threw over a good many shell from their 
guns. We always knew when it was coming for 
it was heralded by six or eight shots from our 
batteries. I helped make out muster rolls today. 

June 18. Thursday. I worked at muster rolls 
almost all day. About noon I was agreeably sur- 
prised to be accosted by Pat Gallegher and George 
Hissung. Pat is Captain, and George is about to 
be Second Lieutenant. I was extremely glad to 
see them. They both look the same as ever and are 
body guards of Smith, who is on our left. Frank 
got a pass and went over to Hovey's division to 
find A. B. Knight, but he was wounded at Cham- 

1863 



80 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

pion Mills, caught and paroled by the Rebs and 
sent north, and I expect by this time he is at home. 
He was a good soldier. 

June 19. Friday. We were called from our 
slumbers by bursting shells and they continued to 
come at regular intervals all day. They were 
shrapnel filled with a handful of small balls, which 
rained down in a perfect shower among us, but 
fortunately no one was hurt. Their guns are in 
hollows and used as mortars out of range of ours 
and we can do no better than let them shoot. A 
good many of our boys are burrowing into the 
hillside. We received the melancholy news last 
evening of the death of Dare. Poor fellow! he 
was a good soldier and a true patriot. One shell 
from the Rebs' old mortar fell directly into the 
tent of Stolbrand (chief of artillery on Logan's 
staff) bursting in the ground, tearing everything 
to pieces, and scattering dirt on the writing desks 
in other tents, but strange to tell, no one was hurt. 
Stolbrand was out. 

June 20. Saturday. Last night deserters came 
in reporting another massing of troops, and about 
2 o'clock in the morning our brigade formed and 
w^ere ordered up to the rifle pits. The pits were 
filled without Co. K, and we marched back to camp 
as reserve, so I lay down and slept until morning. 
About 4 o'clock Logan's old whistling Jack sent 
over its eighty-four pound messenger. This was 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 81 

the signal for the whole line to open. From six to 
eighty-four pounders now united in pouring over 
a perfect shower of shell on doomed secession. This 
continued until 10 o'clock, six long hours. When 
we were through they opened their o\i mortar 
and another gun. The shell from the ^mall gun 
burst over our brigade, throwing numbe\ V'ss pieces 
among us. One shell struck on the le''t M' the 7th 
Mo., in the midst of a crowd standiig \round a 
well. They immediately fell down and :"'ol 'ed away. 
The shell burst, tore up the ground, aid hurt no 
one. Such accidents are constantly occur\ nig, but 
the boys are not always so fortunate. Wx"' partly 
expected a charge today. Sappers and niin'^rs are 
digging into the fort ; we can see them from above. 
Gen. McClernand is relieved and O. E. Ord takes 
command of his corps. 

June 21. Sunday. We were ordered out at 
3 o'clock for skirmishing. We had a six pounder 
planted between Co. C's pits and ours. Johnny 
Moe, 1st Lieut. Co. C, was shot through the leg, 
and had it taken off. The Rebs continue to be quite 
active and use their mortar considerably. One of 
their shells struck one of our big guns, beside 
which one of the Generals was standing. It 
glanced down the side opposite him, battering the 
carriage, but hurt no one though it exploded. There 
is a place between picket post and camp where five 
or six Red sharpshooters have a fine range. Mail 

1863 



S2 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

came in early this morning. I received letters from 
Uncle P., Aunt C. and Kosalie. Papers also came 
in, and with them the report of another invasion of 
Pennsylvania. Report said the Rebs were already 
at Chambersburg. I got a pass and went over to 
Smith's division to see Hissung and the boys. T 
found them all well but Bill H. I had a good 
time and returned to camp the middle of the after- 
noon. Two men were wounded in camp today. We 
had roll call this evening. Gen. Johnston has at 
last crossed the Black with a force variously esti- 
mated at from thirty to seventy thousand. Divi- 
sions, brigades, and batteries are being detached 
and sent to meet him. It is reported that Grant 
and McPherson have gone to the rear in person. 
If the Rebs wrest Vicksburg from us now they 
must pay dear for it. 

June 23. Tuesday. Sweeny and I went to 
work remodelling our shanty this morning and at 
11 o'clock were detailed on fatigue to fix Gen. 
Logan's bomb-proof underground cellar. We fin- 
ished it about noon. I took a knife from his 
culinary department. The regiment was called on 
for numerous details of fatigue duty today. 

June 24. Wednesday. I Avas awakened about 
10 o'clock last night by the roars of artillery and 
musketry. An incessant fire was kept up for two 
hours. We learned today that the Rebs made a 
sortie but were driven back. They wanted to 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 83 

hinder us advancing our lines but did not succeed. 
Day before yesterday I saw some of the cavalry 
bring in ripe peaches and green corn. 

June 25. Thursday. We hear the forces in 
our rear have had a slight engagement. Our forces 
fell back until they had their position and then 
repulsed the Kebs and drove them back in con- 
fusion. The cheering and acceptable rumor of the 
capture of Port Hudson has reached us. It is said 
to be official. The latest news from the east is that 
the Eebel raid is rapidly progressing and they are 
within forty-seven miles of Harrisburg, the capital 
of Pennsylvania. Lee and his generals are surely 
adopting Napoleon's tactics. It yet remains to be 
seen whether they have the genius to carry out the 
bold and fearless plans. It is now 2 o'clock. The 
artillery is getting busy, and it is rumored that we 
shall have work before night. The brigade was 
formed in rifle pits at the brow of the hill. Gen. 
J. Leggett's brigade was formed in the rear of the 
fort. We lay here an hour before the explosion 
took place. It was followed by four others that we 
could see, and a general opening of artillery along 
the whole line, and also the mortars and gunboats 
and fleet. As soon as it occurred, regiments filed 
up parallel with the fort and poured a close and 
deadly fire into the enemy's face. Hand grenades 
were freely used on both sides. We lost severely 
and did not accomplish our object. The fault must 

1863 



84 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

have been the engineers'. The fort was not de- 
stroyed, the concussion was not near what we 
expected it would be. We lay there all night. The 
throwing of hand grenades was kept up. At dusk 
I went and drew a new gun, 

June 26. Friday. We were ordered out on 
picket early this morning. The Rebs on our front 
were very shy. I only caught an occasional glimpse 
of them, but fired fifty rounds, mostly at their port 
holes and works. A good many shells and pieces 
came among us, but no one was hurt. Our boys at 
the fort had warmer work and finally fell back. 

June 27. Saturday. There were a number 
wounded this morning and ambulances continually 
IDassed through camp. The day is hot and sultry. 
At dusk Doty and I went within a few feet of the 
Rebels' fort. We have sunk another shaft and are 
again undermining their works. We climbed the 
observatory and took a good look at Vicksburg, the 
river, and its surrounding works. 

June 28. Sunday. Hot and sultry. Went 
after blackberries alone this morning and picked 
four quarts. Had a good wash and returned to 
camp. Johnston gradually closing up. 

June 29. Monday. Hot and sultry, and very 
dusty. Rebels unusually quiet. News from the 
east very meager. Hooker has ordered a seal to 
be put on the press, but from what we can hear a 
terrible battle is imminent. May the great Ruler 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 85 

of the Universe grant us success. 

June 30. Tuesday. Hot and sultry. Our regi- 
ment was paid this morning. I received twenty- 
three dollars. A stoppage of three dollars for the 
premium which Phelps paid me at Memphis was 
detached. Co. L, 2nd 111. Vol. Artillery came in 
this evening with rifles and James guns, direct 
from Memphis. It is the same battery which was 
sunk in the river this side of Grand Gulf while 
crossing over. They had occasion to stop below 
Lake Providence and shell a squad of Rebs. Our 
regiment is not in as good health as a week ago. 
This evening we were ordered out for picket. 

July 1. Wednesday. Regiment out on picket, 
but I worked at pay rolls. The brigade was formed 
and preparations were made to blow up the fort. 
I went over the hill and up the hollow to watch 
for the explosion. I waited a moment before the 
shock of the explosion was felt, and it looked as if 
the whole inside of the fort was torn out. It threw 
out several people, one Negro was thrown a hun- 
dred and fifty feet, lighting on his head and shoul- 
ders, scarcely hurting him. He attempted to run 
back, but a half dozen leved muskets brought him 
back. He and others were digging on the inside 
to weaken the blast, which it did to a considerable 
extent. No charge was attempted and all resumed 
the old quiet again. The regiment returned from 
picket after dusk. 

1863 



86 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

July 2. Thursday. Mail came in late last 
evening. Got a letter from Father, Mother and 
Eosalie. I went after blackberries and picked a 
gallon. I had a good wash. Nothing of interest, 
but a good many shells which the Rebs threw over. 
July 3. Friday. There was a brisk skirmish 
on our left last night. The Rebs came out of their 
works and attempted to drive in our picket, but 
were driven back with a loss of nearly one hundred 
men whom they left on the field. At 10 o'clock a 
Jfiag of truce came out and the bearer was escorted 
to Gen. Grant's headquarters. As to the object, 
every one has his own opinion. I hope to Heaven 
it is to propose terms of surrender. Most of the 
boys think it is to bury the killed of last night. 
Neut. Davis and I took advantage of the cessation 
of hostilities and crossed the hill to the old fort. 
We slipped the guard and reached the far end of 
the works within a few yards of those of the Rebels, 
who lined their parapets as far as the eye could 
see. We stood face to face with them, almost near 
enough to shake hands, yet not a word was spoken 
on either side until their officers ordered us down 
as we were inspecting their works too closely. Gen. 
Leggitt ordered us to go outside the guard and their 
officers drew off their men. Hostilities were sus- 
pended until 2 :30, when a few shells came over 
and burst, banishing for a while our fond illusions. 
But at 3 o'clock! Hail Columbia, Happy Land! 

1863 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 87 

Vicksburg is ours! General rejoicing along the 
line. Gen. Grant and his cavalry are to go in and 
capitulation commences. Thus ends one of the 
most brilliant campaigns the world has known 
since the days of Austerlitz. No one but Napoleon 
has equalled it. It has resulted in the complete 
destruction of the Rebel army at Vicksburg. They 
have lost without doubt about forty thousand men. 
The boys are beginning to think Grant is a Napo- 
leon. He has completely wiped out his Shiloh 
affair. Papers of the 29th in camp show very dis- 
couraging news from the East. The Rebs are 
throwing heavy columns into Pennsylvania, and 
are threatening Pittsburg, Harrisburg and Balti- 
more. Northern papers give no account of the 
army movements. Hooker has been superceded by 
Gen, Meade of the 5th Army Corps. 

July 4. Saturday. The sun rose bright and 
clear to usher in this most eventful day to the 
American people, but a sad accident happened 
early in the morning, which served to mar in no 
slight degree our rejoicing. A shell which had been 
lying around the quarters for two weeks with tlie 
cap taken off and most of the powder knocked out, 
and some of the time filled with water, was put in 
a post fire with the intention of scaring a certain 
shaky individual, and had been forgotten. Dreggs 
of Co. E lit it and watched the post fire burn for 
a while and then he picked it up and carried it 

1863 



88 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

and threw it over into the quarters. It no sooner 
touched the ground than it burst, and as good luck 
would have it, only one man was hurt. Brown, of 
Co. E, a fine fellow and a good soldier, was hit in 
the side, it going through and tearing off part of 
the lung. He lived but a short time. At 10 o'clock 
terms were concluded. The Rebs are to be paroled 
and the officers are to retain their side arms and 
personal property. Between 10 and 11 o'clock the 
Rebs marched outside and stacked their arms, after 
which they returned to camp. At 2 o'clock the 
troops on the left began marching in. At 3 we 
formed, and after marching a while in the broiling 
sun and suffocating dust, our division moved in 
and up to the courthouse. We passed a large num- 
ber of Confeds. They are as good a looking set of 
Reb. troops as we have seen. Most of them are glad 
they have surrendered. Only a few look sober and 
sullen. They had holes dug into the side hill to 
protect them from our shells. They look as if it 
were a sorry 4th of July for them. Their burial 
grounds in the dierent hollows testify to the num- 
ber they have had killed. The ground back of their 
camps is badly torn up by our mortars, the trees 
are all marked up, and the limbs cut off by our 
shot and shell. Minnie balls, whole shells and 
pieces, and solid shot cover the ground. They have 
defended the place bravely and I say "All honor 
to them." We marched around the courthouse, 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 89 

stacked arms, and lay there about three hours. 
Citizens had nice little caves dug into the banks 
where they took their families and lived during 
the siege. The mortars have nearly destroyed the 
town. Large buildings were torn to pieces, each 
by a single shell. Some went straight through, 
and some exploded inside and tore them. A few 
citizens were killed. Citizens are moving back to 
their ruined dwellings. They look down-hearted 
and sad, I suppose that in their hearts they wish 
that the ordinance of secession had never been 
passed. Two shells struck the courthouse. One 
took a pillar from the observatory and just nicked 
the roof as it descended. The other passed down 
the roof, burst, and killed eighteen. Some of the 
boys, together with several Confeds, broke into a 
store and stole a large quantity of tobacco and 
some other things before the guard came around. 
A number of gaily dressed Confed officers passed 
us, among them being Col. Montgomery, chief of 
Pemberton's staff. The Confeds and our boys 
mingle together like old friends and have appar- 
ently forgotten that but a short time ago they were 
engaged in deadly strife. About 6 o'clock we were 
formed and marched back and camped inside the 
works, close behind where their old mortar had 
been fired. Also where their big siege gun had 
been planted and was afterward dismounted. The 
ground around the two pieces is all torn up by our 

1863 



90 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

shot and shell. I went up to the right and saw a 
beautiful English gun which our boys used to call 
"Whistling Dick." It is a Whitworth and some of 
the Confeds told us it was the gun they had at Fort 
Pemberton, that sunk the Chillicothe. The works 
are full of artillery, most of which they never fired. 
I saw between the Whitworth and the fort, a dis- 
tance of three-quarters of a mile, twenty-eight guns. 
Just at dark I was detailed to go over to camp and 
help fetch the supper. The Kebs have been living 
on one-fifth rations and are nearly starved. They 
mingled with us freely and we have divided our 
rations with them. They tell us they hope we may 
never know want while life lasts. Some of their 
regiments actually had mule meat issued to them 
on the morning of the 3rd, and it was in market 
at fifty cents a pound. We saw a shoulder of it 
dressed. Details are at work picking up small 
arms and accoutrements, of which they had a large 
number. Each man had two guns, one new Enfield 
(drawn since coming here) for long range and 
sharpshooting, and the other loaded with cartridges 
of their own make and fifteen buckshot, of which 
each man had forty rounds. If we had charged we 
should have lost heavily. We found glass bottles 
filled with powder and balls, with fuses in the ends, 
which were used as hand grenades. Grant dis- 
patched Sherman's and part of Ord's corps to the 
rear this evening. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 91 

July 5. Sunday. Buck and I took a stroll 
over the works to the fort that was blown up this 
morning, returning about noon. While we were 
gone the regiment moved camp down to the 
hollows. We walked around the works with the 
Rebs. They told us where their best shots were 
fired, also where the most annoying ones came 
from. They are very friendly and our boys treat 
them well. I believe they will hate to fight us 
again. They are very anxious to get home. Frank 
and I went out and got a fly to put over our cook 
shed this afternoon. The boys are gathering tents, 
flies and cooking utensils from the different camps. 
Our tents and dishes came up from the river this 
afternoon, and the evening was spent once more 
in arranging a camp and digging a well. 

July 6 . Monday. I wrote home this morning. 
At 9 o'clock our regiment was ordered out ou 
picket. We have a strong picket guard around 
the works to keep the Rebs in. Our company was 
out at the big fort which was blown up. My post 
was on the parapet beside it. This fort commands 
a view of the works on either side as far as the 
eye can reach. In the afternoon Boggs and I went 
over to our old camp and took a good wash. Noth- 
ing of importance happened until about 5 o'clock, 
when a thunderstorm passed over. It was pre- 
ceded by an awful wind which nearly blew me off 
the parapet. Rebs drew rations. 

1863 



92 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

July 7. Tuesday. We were relieved about 9 
o'clock and returned to camp. The day was very 
hot and sultry. The Eebs are very anxiously await- 
ing their parole so they can go home. We had news 
of a skirmish in our rear; there were about two 
hundred prisoners brought in. I sav^' the Reb today 
who fired the grape and canister at us when we 
were behind the log on the 22nd. He is a fine fel- 
low and gave our boys credit for making some good 
shots. He was anxious to know if he had hurt any 
of us. He said we had actually dismounted some 
of their pieces with our musketry. It weakened the 
spokes so that they would not stand the reaction 
when fired. The pieces are all dented up by Minnie 
balls. The top of his gun had been knocked off. 
He is from Tennessee. He gave me the name and 
rank of each of the generals we had captured at 
this place. They are : Gen. Pemberton, Tenn. ; 
Maj. Gen. Smith, Va. ; Forney, Ala. ; Brigadier 
Generals Hober, La., Lee, Va., Green, Mo. (killed), 
Reynolds, Ga., Taylor, Ky., More, Ky., Wauld, La., 
Bowen, Mo., Vann, Tenn., Barton, Ala. 

July 8. We had quite a rainstorm last night 
and today it is cool and pleasant. The Rebs are 
arond trading the company sugar for coffee and 
preparing to leave. Just after tattoo, orders came 
around to be ready at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning, 
armed and equipped. 

July 9. We were up and stacked arms early 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 93 

this morning and awaited orders but none came. 
News came into camp this evening of a fight in 
Helena. Gen. Price attacked the place with six- 
teen thousand troops and came very near taking- 
it, but with the assistance of the old wooden gun- 
boats the Rebs saved the day and drove him back, 
taking over a thousand prisoners. Price left his 
killed and wounded on the field. The Negro troops 
are said to have fought like tigers. The news from 
the East is fair. Meade met the enemy at Gettys- 
burg on the 3rd and they are still fighting. It is 
reported that he repulsed two of the grand army 
corps under Longstreet and Hill. Rosencrans has 
advanced and occupies Tallahoma, Bragg's strong- 
hold. 

July 10. Friday. We had another rain last 
night, and the water ran into our tent. Doty and 
I ran the blockades this morning and went over to 
see our blackberry patch. I stopped at our old 
camp on the way back and took a wash. We had 
our berries baked into pies. Capt. Wheeler bought 
a keg of beer this afternoon for the boys to cele- 
brate the victory. Nearly all of Co. K are drunk. 
Columbus Patterson started home on his furlough 
today. 

July 11. Saturday. We were aroused from 
our slumbers at an early hour this morning, (be- 
tween 3 and 4 o'clock) with orders to be ready to 
move at 5 o'clock. Breakfast was over and we had 
1863 



94 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

our canteens filled and accoutrements on at the 
required time. The brigade moved up the road to 
the main entrance and deployed in line. The Rebs 
were formed in their dilferent camps and marched 
between our lines, were halted, brought to a front, 
and ordered to unstring their knapsacks. Our 
commissioned officers, except one to a company, 
were set to work examining paroles to see if they 
were genuine, and the baggage to see that it con- 
tained nothing contraband. A number, when they 
saw this, slipped out from the ranks and threw 
away packages of powder. Our company picked 
out of the ravine a dozen packages or more. Our 
company was on guard along the line. We had a 
guard to stop Negroes. It was a touching sight to 
see some of them part from their masters — they 
loved them sincerely. Very few besides the officers 
had them. A few women passed out. The officers 
carried their swords and revolvers slung by their 
sides. I saw Gen. Pemberton, Maj. Gen. Bowen, 
Brig.-Gen. Hebay, of the C. S. A. pass out. We 
passed out some four or five thousand on this road. 
The weather is hot and sultry. A sick surgeon 
came out and while they were examining the regi- 
ment he became worse. I brought him some fresh 
water and he asked me to call on him, as he was 
carried back to a small tent on the hill in plain 
sight. I did so after we were relieved, and took his 
Nig to camp with me and sent him back with warm 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 95 

cakes and tea. About 3 o'clock I was on a detail 
which was sent up the road to relieve a guard who 
had been out since morning. We had been on post 
but a few moments when we were relieved, and I 
returned to my protegee. He had been in all the 
eastern engagements, from the battle of Winches- 
ter to that of Antietam, he having been with Stone- 
wall Jackson. He was perfectly familiar with all 
the country around Winchester, Bunker Hill, Mar- 
tinsburg, Williamsport, and Harper's Ferry. He 
was an assistant surgeon in Gen. EwelFs division 
hospital, and helped amputate Gen. Ewell's leg 
above the knee, at the second battle of Bull Run. 
He complimented our eastern troops quite highly, 
and also Gen. McClellan. He said he heard Jack- 
son and Lee say that McClellan was the man they 
feared most. He was speaking of what a cruel 
thing this war was and remarked that most of his 
friends and relatives were in the North, his mother 
was in Warsaw, Ind. There I halted him, as a 
matter of course, and let him know our Indiana 
company was raised in that identical place. He 
made a good many anxious inquiries, but I was 
not enough acquainted in that city to give him 
any satisfactory information. He afterwards spoke 
of Havana, 111., and said he had practiced medicine 
in that town. He was greatly surprised when I 
told him our company was from Havana, Mason 
County, 111., and he was acquainted with a good 

1863 



96 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

many of the boys as I named them over. I bolted 
off for the company and sent up Boggs, who was 
much surprised to hear that his father's old part- 
ner was a prisoner in our hands. Papers of the 
7th came in this evening, bringing enthusiastic 
accounts of a great battle and victory of Gen. 
Meade's army over the Rebs under their gallant 
General at Gettysburg. Gen. Meade's dispatches 
proclaim a great victory and the utter rout of the 
Rebs, with heavy losses of prisoners and colors. 
A! boat came up from Port Hudson this evening, 
bringing news of the surrender of the place and 
garrison. Hurrah for Banks! 

July 12. Sunday. After dinner, roll call. I 
mounted a mule which the boys had caught and 
saddled, and started for town. The place is very 
quiet. At the wharf you can see transports as far 
as the eye can reach in either direction. The river 
is quite low, I came around the Rebel works and 
in coming back was surprised to see so little artil- 
lery commanding the river. Only four guns and 
one mortar, and a one hundred and twenty-eight 
pounder, manufactured in Richmond, Va. In the 
land defenses from the river to the English 
Whitworth gun there are twenty-six pieces, making 
in all from Fort Hill around to town fifty-nine 
guns. Most of the troops have gone to the rear 
and there is less than an army corps here at the 
present. 

1863 



DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 97 

July 13. Monday. Our forces in the rear are 
gradually closing up and skirmishing near Jackson. 

July 14. Tuesday. The paymaster is here, 
working on the pay rolls and quarterly returns. 

July 15. Wednesday. A heavy detail from 
our regiment was dispatched to work on Fort Hill 
today. They are gradually changing the looks of 
that once important fort, from a rude, unshapely 
mass of dirt to large neat and substantial works. 
This afternoon our boys, in filling up the hole made 
by the blast, dug out a number of bodies. They had 
been crowded into the hole and covered up. Heavy 
details are at work repairing the old line of Reb 
works, also in filling up and destroying our old 
ones. The famous covered way from the White 
House to Fort Hill is nearly destroyed. It seems 
too bad to destroy the works that we spent weeks 
of hard labor and exposure to construct. It seems 
to us that they should stand as monuments for 
future generations to look upon, but still we have 
implicit confidence in the good judgment of Gen. 
Grant. 

July 16. Thursday. I am on duty again today. 
The duty is very heavy now as all the troops 
excepting two divisions have gone to the war. I 
helped unload ammunition today without any relief 
and was tired out when night came. They are 
running a large supply of ammunition back to the 
rear as rapidly as possible. 

!^.........w.. ■ 1863 



98 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

July 17. Friday. Early this morning we 
moved our camp over about one mile nearer town. 
We tore down some houses to get boards for our 
table and to fire up our mess quarters. About 1 
or 2 o'clock we were paid again. I received forty- 
five dollars and fifty-five cents. Frank and I ex- 
pressed home fifty dollars each. Stafford was 
around and gave me a Secesh song written in the 
ditches. 

July 18. Saturday. On duty at Fort Hill car- 
rying gabion baskets. Our old covered way 
is nearly destroyed. I got some peaches and apples 
today and w^e had some pies. I also had an ear of 
corn, but it was too hard to be good. Couriers 
came in today with the news that Joe Johnston 
had cut through our lines and was retreating. We 
get no late news from the East, and are on the 
tiptoe of anxiety. I Avish Grant was on the Vir- 
ginia side of that river for a short campaign. 
Papers on the 11th are here but no news only that 
Meade is concentrating, 

July 19. Sunday. Hot and sultry. Had 
inspection at 10 o'clock. The order has come for 
granting furloughs, two go from our company — G. 
Ross and A. J. Van Auken. Got a Free Press but 
no letters from home. Dress parade this evening. 
A funny incident took place. One of the poor, 
half-starved horses that overrun the camp, pre- 
ceded the band as it led the regiment, just in good 

1863 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 99 

kicking distance. We got the New Orleans Sim 
the evening of the 15th. It has the particulars of 
the surrender and occupation of Port Hudson with 
five or six thousand prisoners. 

July 20. Monday. Very hot and sultry. On 
fatigue, digging a well for headquarters. Got a 
number of papers which I culled from a cartload 
of them. Two months ago today the siege of Vicks- 
burg began and was continued through forty-seven 
long, dreary days, and ended that glorious old day, 
the 4th of July. 

July 21. Tuesday. Boats came in last night 
and brought Northern papers of the 14th. No 
particular news from the East, only Meade con- 
centrating at Hayes. John Morgan is making a 
raid into Indiana. I hope he will succeed in arous- 
ing the people and then get himself captured. No 
news today from the rear. Jim Chessher came in 
this morning. 

July 22. Wednesday . The furloughs have come 
this evening, approved. I send this north to be 
mailed by D. D. Ross. Our regiment registered 
two hundred and ninety men at the beginning of 
the siege. The day of the charge and other days 
while skirmishing and sharpshooting, our loss, 
killed and dead from wounds, was fourteen, forty 
wounded, making an aggregate of fifty-four, over 
seventeen per cent. 

The order of the different divisions of Grant's 

1863 



100 DIARY OF SETH A. WELLS 

army besieging Vicksburg from the right to the 
left, June 28, 1863. 

Under the command of Gen. Ord — Herron's, 
Lammaris', Hovey's, Osterhaus' (gone to the rear) 
Carris', A. J. Smith's. 

Gen. McPherson's Corps — J. E. Smith's, Logan's, 
one brigade of McArthur's. 

Gen. W. T. Sherman's Corps — Blair's, Tuttle's, 
Steele's. 

Kear — Herron, Lammaris, Hovey, Osterhaus, 
Covy, A. J. Smith, J. E. Smith, Logan, McArthur, 
Blair, Tuttle and Steele. 

July 7. The Generals captured are: Lieut.- 
Gen. Pemberton, Maj.-Gen. Stevenson, Tenn. ; 
Smith, Va. ; Forney, Ala., and Bowen, Mo. Brig.- 
Gen. Hebert, La.; Lee, Va. ; Green, Mo.; (killed 
inside works), Reynolds, Ga. ; Taylor, Ky. ; More, 
Ky. ; Wauld, La. ; Vann, Tenn. ; Barton, Ala. 
Different army corps and commanders: 
1st — Maj-Gen, Reynolds. 
3rd— Maj-Gen. D. Sickles. 
5th — Maj-Gen. Meade. 
6th — Maj.-Gen. Sedgwick. 
9th — Maj.-Gen. Burnside. 
11th — Maj.-Gen. Howard (formerly Siegel). 
12th — Gen. Stoneman (cavalry). 
13th— Maj.-Gen. O. E. Ord. 
14th— Maj.-Gen. G. H. Thomas. 

1863 



THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 

15th — Maj.-Gen. Sherman. 
IGth— Maj.-Gen. Hurlbiirt. 
17th — Maj.-Gen. MePherson. 
20th— Maj.-Gen. McDowell McCook. 
21st — Maj.-Gen. Thos. Crittenden. 



101 




1863 



